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ɬ﷬ collaborates with Concordia, École Polytechnique and Aéro Montréal to establish new aerospace innovation centre

ɬ﷬ will play a major role in the new aerospace innovation zone, Espace Aéro, which is set to receive an additional $2 million investment from the Government of Quebec
Drone flying in a cloudy sky
Image by Getty Images.
Published: 3 October 2025

The Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie du Québec today announced an investment of $2 million to fund a technical plan for the functioning of the Centre de collaboration et d’innovation en aérospatiale et mobilité (CCIAM). Led by the cluster within the innovation zone – created by the Government of Quebec in 2024 – the CCIAM is a flagship research and innovation infrastructure project. Industry partner Boeing will contribute an additional $3 million toward the project.

ɬ﷬ will establish an academic governance framework for the CCIAM along with Concordia University and Polytechnique Montréal. Slated to open in 2028, the centre will enable enhanced collaborations on large-scale aeronautic projects, including sustainable fuel development, decarbonization and advanced materials. It will also feature a state-of-the-art indoor testing facility to advance research and development of autonomous flying vehicles.

“Quebec’s aerospace sector is a key driver of both economic growth and global innovation,” said Dominique Bérubé, Vice-President of Research and Innovation at ɬ﷬. “Through cutting-edge research and collaborative innovation, we are proud to work alongside our partners to help realize the Government of Quebec’s ambition to lead sustainable, next-generation aerospace engineering.”

The Quebec aerospace industry employs more than 36,000 people across the province and generates $15 billion in exports.

ɬ﷬ has been deeply involved in aerospace research for several decades. Its Institute of Air and Space Law was founded in 1951, and it is currently home to several aerospace-related institutes, research centres, labs and groups, including the ɬ﷬ Institute for Aerospace Engineering. In June, the university signed a strategic partnership agreement with major industry player Airbus. It is also one of the few Canadian universities to offer a master’s program in this sector.

The university is a member of Aéro Montréal, the Comité sectoriel de main-d’oeuvre en aérospatiale and the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec.

“ɬ﷬ has long been a hub of aerospace research, and this partnership with our peers demonstrates our deep commitment to this industry,” said Benoit Boulet, Associate Vice-President, Innovation and Partnerships at ɬ﷬ and representative to the CCIAM advisory committee. “This centre will make Quebec a world leader not only in aviation research, but also in the training that this sector demands.”

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