OTTAWA, May 17 /CNW Telbec/ - The Aerospace Industries Association of
Canada (AIAC) voiced its support for the actions announced today by the
governments of Canada and the United States to remove constraints on the
operations of Canadian firms imposed by U.S. "International Traffic in Arms
Regulations (ITAR). "Both Canadian and U.S. authorities are taking an
important first step toward resolving what is a costly impediment for
aerospace companies requiring access to US-origin controlled technologies and
articles." said Peter Boag, AIAC president. "But a sustained effort by both
sides is needed to fully include Canadian industry within the scope of the
announced arrangement and to deal with remaining ITAR-related issues."
At issue is how the ITAR restrict access to controlled technologies and
goods by Canadian citizens holding dual nationality. Today's announcement
provides full access to ITAR-controlled technology and goods by all Canadian
citizens who are employees of the Department of National Defence and who hold
a secret security clearance. In doing so, both governments have signaled their
commitment to negotiate a similar solution for Canadian industry. AIAC will
work closely with Canadian government officials to lay the ground work to
achieve this outcome within the shortest time possible.
According to Boag, "The way in which ITAR is now being interpreted
creates obstacles to bilateral defence trade and limits technology and
business partnering between Canadian and U.S. companies. "We need to fix the
overall ITAR problem or put at risk Canada's global competitiveness in
aerospace and defence."
The AIAC is the national trade association representing Canada's
aerospace manufacturing and services sector - the fourth largest aerospace
industry in the world, employing more than 75,000 Canadians. The organization
represents the interests of more than 400 companies in every region of the
country.
For further information: Ron Kane, Vice President, Defence & Space,(613)
760-4551, ron.kane@aiac.ca, www.aiac.ca
