Air Canada (AC, Montréal Trudeau) says it has entered into an agreement with the Manitoba Government to help establish a Centre of Excellence (COE) in Western Canada catering to certain aircraft MRO activities.

Under the agreement, Air Canada will work with three of its aviation suppliers and partners to set up shop in the province. They include: Hope Aero Propeller & Components Inc., one of Air Canada's suppliers, which specializes in propellers, wheels, brakes and batteries; Airbase Services Inc., one of Air Canada's suppliers, which specializes in aircraft interior equipment maintenance; and Cargojet Airways (W8, Hamilton, ON), one of Air Canada's cargo partners, to which Air Canada has agreed to lease one of its hangars at Winnipeg International to enable it to establish its own MRO activities there. Start up for all three is expected to commence in 2017.

"By bringing some of our suppliers and partners to Manitoba and facilitating their establishment there, Air Canada is strengthening the foundation for future growth of the industry in the Province," Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive of Air Canada, said. "We are already one of the Province's largest employers with more than 725 jobs and this agreement should further develop and diversify Manitoba's aviation expertise and help create quality jobs in a highly competitive and dynamic industry."

The COE is expected to create 150 jobs starting in 2017 with the possibility of further expansion and job creation in the future.