‘Game changing’: De Havilland to build airplane manufacturing plant east of Calgary

A large aircraft manufacturing plant will be built east of Calgary by De Havilland Canada, creating an expected 1,500 jobs, according to Premier Jason Kenney.

Kenney made the announcement Wednesday morning at a news conference in Toronto, saying this is a “game changing investment” for the province.

De Havilland has historically operated in Toronto, at Downsview. Some of the work done there is being relocated to Alberta.

“This is just another step forward in the huge growth in our aviation sector with more big news to follow in that sector in just the weeks ahead,” said Kenney.

Kenney adds three lines of aircraft will be built at the facility, and he is hoping that will be increased to four in the future.

The announcement comes as part of the province’s advertising campaign to attract skilled workers to move to Alberta, named “Alberta is Calling.”

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“The success of this campaign means that now more Canadians know about Alberta’s affordable housing market and job opportunities, our friendly and vibrant culture, and the lower cost of living we enjoy,” said Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation Tanya Fir. “For some of them, moving to Alberta will be the opportunity they have been waiting for, and we are more than happy to welcome them to our communities.”

Patrick Mattern, vice president of business development at the Calgary Economic Development, says the manufacturing plant leverages Calgary in the aviation industry and improves the economy.

“It’s diversifying the economy even further than where we’re going at the moment, so the 1,500 jobs has a tremendous impact,” Mattern told CityNews. “Because it’s a more of an emerging sector in our community, it means that much more.”

Mattern also says creating 1,500 jobs in the city will not only help attract and retain skilled workers, but will also give new “grads” an opportunity to work instead of having to leave Calgary.

“We’re still short of workers in the community, so yes to attract people in, it’s something that we do,” Mattern added.

De Havilland held a news conference Wednesday afternoon in Calgary. Neil Sweeney, the vice president of corporate affairs, said the company is “ramping up,” saying they have plenty of jobs available.

“We anticipate a significant number of jobs by 2025 and then moving forward, but we’re hiring today,” Sweeney said. “There are tons of jobs available now.”

Sweeney says people can start applying for a job with De Havilland by heading to its website.

— With files from Henna Saeed and Danina Falkenberg.