Notes for an address by

The Honourable Lynne Yelich
Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification

Product Launch

Corresponding Document: News Release | Photo Gallery

Check Against Delivery

Thank you, Ray.

Honoured guests – ladies and gentlemen – good afternoon.

I’m pleased to be here today on behalf of the Government of Canada.

To begin, I would also like to acknowledge the representatives from NATO present at today’s event. NATO has been a development partner to Weatherhaven on this project. It is thanks, in part, to your team’s efforts that we are here today to launch this incredible new technology.

And “incredible” is truly how I can describe this product. The Tactical Redeployable Expandable Container Configuration (or TRECC, as it is known) will allow soldiers in the field to configure facilities that meet their changing needs. It can become a command centre, a kitchen and a mobile hospital, among many other things. Its extreme versatility and portability – being specifically designed to fit inside the hold of a Boeing CH-47 helicopter – is a fantastic marketing coup for Weatherhaven. With over twelve hundred CH-47 helicopters in service or on order around the world, TRECC will soon be in high demand. Not to mention that TRECC can also be carried on a light truck, which opens up further possibilities for deployment and potential markets.

Weatherhaven Global Solutions is itself a success story. A manufacturer of shelter and shelter systems based in British Columbia, Weatherhaven is a prime example of the ground-breaking research and development being undertaken by aerospace and defence companies across Western Canada.

Part of what facilitates access for Canadian companies to global supply chains and export markets for defence products is the Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) Policy.

The IRB Policy is an important element of the Government of Canada's overall procurement process for major defence and security purchases. It enables our Government to leverage major investments in military equipment to encourage long-term industrial development and significant economic activity in Canada.

Western Economic Diversification is committed to leveraging these IRB requirements to develop and diversify the economy of Western Canada in three ways:

• By identifying key procurement opportunities for the West;
• By promoting western Canadian companies and capabilities, and connecting them with global aerospace and defence companies; and,
• By working collaboratively to create the infrastructure required to build and sustain this industry for the future.

The western Canadian defence industry is a competitive, vibrant and growing sector that can deliver key services and products to prime contractors in the air, land and marine sectors.

TRECC is an excellent example of what we can achieve by working together, and hopefully it is just the beginning.

Congratulations again on this impressive accomplishment, Ray. I look forward to seeing the benefits of this technology in the years to come.

Thank you. Merci.