Finance
December 8, 2016

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board:

Minister Congratulates PAL Airlines and PAL Aerospace

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to recognize and congratulate PAL Airlines on receiving three awards yesterday at the St. John's Board of Trade 2016 Business Excellence Awards. The company received the Community Impact Award for 20 or more employees, the Customer Service and Reliability Award and the prestigious Business Excellence Award. Mr. Speaker, the Business Excellence Award is the most prestigious award presented by the St. John’s Board of Trade. The winner of this award recognizes innovation, creativity, sales growth and a passion for success.

Our government extends congratulations to PAL Airlines and all recipients of the 2016 Business Excellence Awards. In addition to PAL Airlines, I would like to congratulate East Coast Mortgage Brokers, Vigilant Management, The Rooms Corporation, Wedgwood Café and Catering, Pennecon, and Roger Maunder, Up Sky Down Films.

Mr. Speaker, PAL Airlines, a subsidiary of PAL Aerospace, is the largest regional airline in eastern Canada. PAL Aerospace, headquartered in St. John’s, is considered a global leader in maritime surveillance, with patrol aircraft in Canada, the Caribbean and the Middle East.

There are many exciting things on the horizon for PAL Airlines and PAL Aerospace, Mr. Speaker. We are very pleased today that the Government of Canada has announced a $2.4 billion contract for new search and rescue aircraft and that PAL Aerospace will provide maintenance and support services.

This federal partnership with PAL Aerospace extends to 2043 and will enhance the delivery of a complete, modern and technologically-advanced search and rescue solution for the province and the country. PAL Aerospace will provide maintenance and support services to the new fleet of 16 C295 aircraft manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space to replace Canada’s current fleet of aging search and rescue aircraft. This announcement speaks to the commitment we have from the Federal Government for even further investment in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, this is exciting news for Provincial Aerospace, PAL Airlines and for our provinces as a whole.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2016 12 08                              1:50 p.m.