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![\"Ruth](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/4169566_web1_260424-Degence-funding-1-.jpg\")
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Ruth Bonneville \/ Free Press<\/p>\n
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Ron Drepaul, GM of Magellan Aerospace (from left); Rob Ranson, founder and president of Win-Shield Devices; and Chad Flowers, vice-president and general manager of StandardAero, talk Friday after Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand announcement.<\/p>\n
It was part of a $19.5 million package for local companies. Magellan Aerospace and StandardAero are receiving $8 million each to expand operations, with output directed to military and civilians.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are entering (an) unprecedented era of defence,\u201d Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand said upon announcing the money in Winnipeg. \u201cWe need investments to support that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The funding comes through Ottawa\u2019s $379.2 million regional defence investment initiative. The program falls under a national defence industrial strategy, unveiled in February.<\/p>\n
Win-Shield Devices \u2014 among the first Manitoba recipients \u2014 is working on a number of projects for the Canadian military, Ranson said. He declined to share details.<\/p>\n
His company has a background in personal protective equipment: it made face and head shields for health-care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian military will likely be able to buy new Win-Shield products by the end of 2026, Ranson estimated.<\/p>\n
Ottawa\u2019s funding erases his need to raise private equity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gives us the runway to do things right,\u201d he said. \u201cBuying the right equipment, setting up the right manufacturing facility.\u201d<\/p>\n
He expects to double Win-Shield\u2019s 16-person team by next April, and he\u2019s scouring Winnipeg for a facility. Win-Shield engineers have been using North Forge\u2019s fabrication lab.<\/p>\n
The $19.5 million should create more than 150 jobs and also maintain at least 100, Chartrand said.<\/p>\n
Magellan Aerospace is expanding through a phased approach \u2014 one that could see 50 new staffers over the next five years, said Ron Drepaul, general manager of Winnipeg operations.<\/p>\n
Magellan is making an advanced machining centre at 660 Berry St., its established hub. The new centre will support the creation of F404 and F414 engines, which end up in Boeing and Saab fighter aircraft, Drepaul said.<\/p>\n
He anticipates renovations to end by 2028.<\/p>\n
StandardAero is adding 70,000 square feet to its St. James campus. It does maintenance, repairs and overhauls of gas turbine engines and accessories; the $8 million will cover new equipment and technology integration.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Ruth Bonneville \/ Free Press<\/p>\n Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand announces federal government investments in the three Winnipeg-based companies.<\/p>\n StandardAero has hired 60 employees, including mechanics and inspectors, since last year. The provincial government funnelled $3 million into the expansion in 2025.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we cut the ribbon and we can inhabit the building, it will further accelerate \u2026 the number of new jobs,\u201d said Chad Flowers, vice-president and general manager for StandardAero.<\/p>\n The $6-billion company began in Winnipeg 115 years ago. It counts more than 1,500 Manitoba employees and has locations internationally.<\/p>\n Manitoba\u2019s aerospace sector accounted for at least $414 million of the province\u2019s gross domestic product in 2024, Manitoba Aerospace shared.<\/p>\n Chief executive Wendell Wiebe said he suspects the industry makes close to $2 billion in sales annually. It generated $1.7 billion in 2023.<\/p>\n Still, more government funding is needed to boost Manitoba\u2019s defence sector contributions, Wiebe said: \u201cCompanies need to grow their capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn the defence side, all you need to do is look around. You\u2019ve got Russia, China. You\u2019ve got the war, U.S. and Iran,\u201d Wiebe said. \u201cWe need to be prepared so that we have the resources here that can be a deterrent.\u201d<\/p>\n An increased desire for air travel has bolstered the local industry, which employs at least 5,000 people, Wiebe added.<\/p>\n Last week, Boeing publicized its own $36 million investment for research and development in Winnipeg.<\/p>\n Ottawa\u2019s regional defence investment initiative will accept applications until the end of 2027, or when funding runs out.<\/p>\n Andrea Ladouceur is eyeing money for Manitoba\u2019s biosciences industry. Medical elements \u2014 such as wound care and countermeasures to wartime exposures \u2014 could be funded through the program.<\/p>\n There are Manitoba manufacturers for that, said Ladouceur, president of Bioscience Association Manitoba.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Ruth Bonneville \/ Free Press<\/p>\n StandardAero\u2019s Peter Wheatley and Chad Flowers chat with Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham after the announcement Friday.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing to share yet,\u201d she added. \u201cWe\u2019ve got good engagement with the feds, good engagement with the province.\u201d<\/p>\n Premier Wab Kinew and a delegation of business groups travelled to Ottawa last week. Part of their focus was promoting the province\u2019s aerospace and bioscience sectors.<\/p>\n Mayor Scott Gillingham, who attended the Friday announcement, has been promoting Winnipeg\u2019s \u201csky economy\u201d \u2014 aviation, aerospace and defence.<\/p>\n He and private-sector leads expect 17 Wing, an air force base in Winnipeg, to see more personnel in the coming years.<\/p>\n \n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce has told defence department officials the city is open to military families, president Loren Remillard said.<\/p>\n He\u2019s aiming to connect family members with job openings, though details are being worked out. If done correctly, it could be \u201cthat proverbial win-win scenario,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Canada\u2019s defence department couldn\u2019t confirm how many new personnel will be posted in Manitoba. The size of the Canadian Armed Forces is increasing, with a plan to hit 71,500 regular force members and 30,000 in the reserves, they said.<\/p>\n Manitoba is also home to the North American Aerospace Defense Command\u2019s Canadian headquarters.<\/p>\n gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Gabrielle Pich\u00e9 Gabrielle Pich\u00e9 reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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