Government of Canada Invests in Canadian Jobs and the Canadian Armed Forces' Fleet of Light Armoured Vehicles III

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 16, 2013) - Mr. Chris Alexander, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Ajax-Pickering, joined by Mr. Ted Opitz, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Associate Minister of National Defence and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie), today announced a significant subcontract that will play an important role in providing the Canadian Army with a new and improved fleet of Light Armoured Vehicles III.

Qualified Metal Fabricators Ltd. of Toronto, Ontario, has been awarded this $3.98 million subcontract by General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada in support of the Light Armoured Vehicle III Upgrade Project.

"Today's announcement demonstrates our continued support of our brave men and women in uniform and skilled Canadian workers - including right here in the Greater Toronto Area," said Mr. Alexander.

"Our investments will provide our troops with the modern equipment they need to conduct their missions safely and effectively for many decades to come," added Mr. Opitz.

"Our investments in renewing the Canadian Armed Forces' capabilities on land, sea and air are building a first-class, modern military that is ready to take on the challenges of the 21st Century - while supporting Canadian workers across the country," said Minister Valcourt.

The Light Armoured Vehicle III Upgrade Project, one of four Family of Land Combat Vehicle projects announced by the Government of Canada, will capitalize on existing and evolving technology to improve the protection, mobility and lethality of the Light Armoured Vehicle III fleet. The project will modernize a portion of the existing fleet to ensure it remains a highly protected, operationally mobile and tactically agile combat vehicle that will remain the backbone of domestic and expeditionary task forces, extending the life span of the Light Armoured Vehicle III to 2035.

This subcontract is a result of the Government of Canada's $1.064 billion contract award to General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada in October 2011 for the delivery of 550 upgraded Light Armoured Vehicles and is a prime example of the high quality work Canadian industry is carrying out as a result of the Government of Canada's Industrial and Regional Benefits policy. The Government of Canada's agreement with General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada commits the company to re-invest 100 per cent of the contract value in business activities in the Canadian economy, further expanding the economic benefits of this procurement in regions across the country.

"Our Government is leveraging large-scale investments and positioning Canadian industry to take advantage of not only current but emerging value chains," said the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry. "The Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy provides Canadian companies with access to lucrative business opportunities, ensuring that 100 per cent of contracts result in direct and indirect business activity in Canada."

Qualified Metal Fabricators Ltd. will be providing General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada with bracket, cover and shroud assemblies to be integrated with the vehicle chassis and power pack in the newly designed Light Armoured Vehicle III hull.

"Canadian soldiers need the best tools for the job and deserve the best vehicle we can give them," said Danny Deep, vice president of General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. "The LAV III Upgrade Project will enhance the LAV III fleet's survivability, operational capability and long-term performance. With our Canadian design and manufacturing base and over 500 suppliers located in every province of Canada, we are proud to say that the best armoured vehicles in the world are made in Canada."

Note to editor/news director: A backgrounder is available at the following link: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=3037

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada
Ken Yamashita
Cellular: (519) 670-5887
yamashik@gdls.com


Andrea Richer
Office of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, P.C., M.P.
(613) 996-3100


Information: 1-866-377-0811/613-996-2353
www.forces.gc.ca