‘Shine a bright light outside of Manitoba’

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This article was published 09/01/2025 (269 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The NDP government is continuing its aggressive support of Manitoba’s aerospace industry, announcing Thursday a significant investment in Magellan Aerospace.

The province is providing Magellan with an $8 million grant and a $9 million loan (to be repaid over 12 years). The investment expects to lead to the creation of more than 60 positions at Magellan. (Its current workforce is about 650.)

The financial assistance will leverage additional capital investment from the company. It is a global player in the aerospace industry, with head offices in the Greater Toronto Area. In addition to its Winnipeg plant, Magellan has three manufacturing operations in Ontario, six in the U.S, six in Europe and two in India.

The Winnipeg plant has been around for close to 100 years. In addition to being a centre of excellence for the company when it comes to machining aero-engine parts, it is also Magellan’s space centre, having manufactured five satellites currently orbiting the Earth.

It’s also the company’s lone Canadian facility that makes parts for the F-35 fighter jet the Canadian military will soon be flying.

The provincial investment will also enhance the aerospace training programs at Red River College Polytechnic, which has been a long-time collaborator with Magellan, as much as doubling the seat count for the Winnipeg post-secondary school’s aerospace training programs.

With a loud hum of equipment running in the background at the announcement Thursday, Premier Wab Kinew made it clear the investment was to help ensure a competitive advanced manufacturing sector in the province for the future.

Kinew puts a lot value in the fact the province has strong aerospace sector. One of his first public appearances as premier was at an event at Boeing Winnipeg announcing an expansion. In November, he was at StandardAero for a major addition to funding for training at its Winnipeg aerospace engine repair facility.

The premier said Thursday there will be a return on Manitoba’s cash investment, but also there would be invaluable return when it comes to human resource development.

“This allows us shine a bright light outside of Manitoba to say we are an advanced manufacturing economy and can compete with any jurisdiction and that we are a trusted partner when it comes to security and the aerospace industry,” Kinew said.

“We are also sending message at home to say that this is how we grow jobs so that the next generation can call this home.”

Kinew made several references to the challenging trade environment the new Trump administration in the U.S. may create.

“Making this investment now, given everything that’s going on at the federal level and with the trade relationship with the U.S., checks so many boxes for the future of success of the provincial economy,” he said.

Magellan has had a lengthy relationship with the post-secondary institutions in the province — as well as the aerospace technician training program at Tech Voc High School — and a particularly close one with RRC Polytech, where it has participated in course design.

Fred Meier, CEO of RRC Polytech, said the additional resources will allow the college to increase the number of students engaged in aerospace training programs to 150 per year.

“Together, we’ll immerse our students in experiences — in the classroom, in applied research, in the workplace — that ensure they’re career ready,” Meier said. “Today’s announcement reinforces Magellan’s commitment to working with us toward these goals and supporting our learners’ success.”

It may also address the current imbalance in the skilled aerospace workers market.

Wendell Wiebe, CEO of Manitoba Aerospace Inc., said there is currently more demand than there is supply.

“Like other sectors, there is a larger demand for the workforce than is available,” said Wiebe. “Some post-secondary programs are maxed out, but are still not producing enough trained professionals.”

He said another challenge for the industry is replacing veteran staff who retired during the COVID-19 pandemic. “They would love to be able to replace those individuals with experienced people, but they just aren’t around.”

When asked how Magellan might be affected by the potential 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods being threatened by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, Magellan general manager Ron Drepaul said: “This is about enabling us to be more competitive as we deal in a very competitive marketplace. This will help us get to the next level.”

The news conference Thursday took place in front of a year-old laser cutting machine. Drepaul called it an example of the kinds of investments the provincial support will allow the company to continue to make.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca