Photo: Boeing
The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) has opened its expanded Saskatchewan Aviation Learning Centre (SALC) in Saskatoon. The expansion is funded by $17 million from Boeing as part of its industrial benefits obligation on Canada's Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft purchase.
Why it matters: The investment is one of the most visible Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) payouts tied to the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft project so far. It targets a workforce gap the aerospace sector keeps flagging: aircraft maintenance engineers.
Driving the news: SIIT and Boeing marked the opening Sept. 25.
The expansion adds modern classrooms, a specialized avionics lab and more hands-on training space.
It supports SIIT's new Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Category E (AME-E) avionics program, which Bellegarde said has never before been offered in Saskatchewan.
SIIT says it can now train close to 50 students a year, double its previous capacity.
The provincial government contributed $500,000, and construction began in April 2025.
What they're saying: "This investment was so important because we couldn't keep up with the demand," said Riel Bellegarde, president and CEO of SIIT.
"We're very proud of what our longstanding partnership with SIIT has achieved, particularly in expanding access to high-quality aerospace education here in Saskatchewan," said Al Meinzinger, president of Boeing Canada.
"Canada's Industrial and Technological Benefits program is delivering tangible results for Canadians," said Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement).
The bigger picture: Canada is buying 14 P-8A Poseidon aircraft, with options for two more, to replace the RCAF's CP-140 Aurora fleet.
Under the ITB policy, Boeing must invest in the Canadian economy an amount equal to the value of its work on the Foreign Military Sale.
The first aircraft is due this year. The fleet will be based at 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S., and 19 Wing Comox, B.C.
Background: Boeing's support for SIIT dates to 2010, when the company helped establish SALC.
SIIT says more than 100 students have graduated from its aviation program since then and gone on to aviation jobs in Saskatchewan and across Canada.
SIIT was founded in 1976 by Saskatchewan First Nations chiefs and is marking its 50th anniversary this year. Indigenous learners make up more than 95 per cent of its students.
