Aspin discloses plans for further development of the local space industry

**News Release

*********************

MP Jay Aspin discloses his plans for further development of the local space industry:

Strategy for Space Success in our Region
 

North Bay September 26, 2014 – Jay Aspin, MP for Nipissing-Timiskaming disclosed his plans to further develop  the local aerospace and in particular space industry that was launched earlier this summer with the announcement of the Canadore College / Swiss Space Systems (S3)  partnership by outlining his “Strategy for Space Success in our Region.”

“Today I introduced the first phase of my plan,” said MP Jay Aspin. “As I have done with promoting our local aerospace sector, which has resulted in significant funding for our airport and Canadore College’s Aviation Campus, the first phase will focus on reaching out to companies in this industry and identifying their needs with a view to matching them with opportunities  in our region”

He added, “During this fall session, I have arranged for a series of vital meetings with key aerospace stakeholders with a view to finding growth opportunities for Nipissing-Timiskaming.”

MP Jay Aspin outlined the fall agenda for the first phase:    

            International Space Congress (IAC) in Toronto

           MP Jay Aspin will join with representatives from Canadore College and the City ofBay at the IAC to gauge industry needs, assess opportunities for the region, and promote local opportunities for growth and investment during the week of September 19^th.  The IAC was last held in Canada in 2004.      

            Briefing with NASA Head Administrator, Major Charles Bolden and CSA President, General (Ret.) Walter Natynczyk

As Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary Aerospace Caucus, MP Jay Aspin will be hosting a briefing and meetings on the state of the American and Canadian space programs in Ottawa on October 2^nd.    

            Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Tour of North Bay aerospace assets

           MP Jay Aspin has arranged for the CSA to tour the local aerospace industry with particular focus on our local companies, assets and training facilities in late November.

MP Jay Aspin further outlined the strategic points in his overall strategy for the first phase:

·         Reach out to the international space community to seek relevant initiatives and/or companies.

 First Step: attending IAC 2014

·         Reach out to national space organizations to give them a full appreciation of our initiative and determine how they can assist us with our goal or we can assist them with their goals. First Step: the CSA has accepted his invitation to tour the local industry

·         Reach out to international space organizations to give them a full appreciation of our initiative and determine how they can assist us with our goal or we can assist them with their goals. First Step: briefing with the Head of NASA, Major Charles Bolden

·         Create a special sub-caucus of the Aerospace caucus dedicated to advancing Canada’s space agenda. This would involve organizing all MPs with space sector assets in their ridings and have common growth and development goals for the sector

·         Organize parliamentary visits to companies involved in the space sector similar to the three aerospace company visits organized by the Aerospace Caucus in summer 2013

·         Continue his involvement as Vice-Chair of the Aerospace Caucus and work for the successful development of Aerospace in Canada, maintaining or improving Canada’s 5^th world ranking in Aerospace

·         Work with members of local Aerospace Task Force to organize a “Space Forum” similar to the first Aerospace Forum we organized in November 2013 that initiated this entire process

Nipissing-Timiskaming’s space sector was formally consummated on March 26^th in Ottawa when MP Jay Aspin hosted Canadore College, S3, the city of North Bay and a series of senior government officials to solidify the partnership, provide funding, and ensure federal regulation would not be a barrier to proposal.

MP Jay Aspin stated:

“Having played a fundamental facilitation role to create the Canadore-S3 partnership, it is my intent to turn my attention on providing a clear strategy to enhance this initial partnership and to further a successful space sector for our region.”

As a result of the tabling of the Emmerson report last year, this sector has been deemed a priority for the Government of Canada. The sector provides good paying jobs and economic growth for our citizens, particularly our youth.