April 20, 2020
As a benefit to members, friends, and WestDef delegates, WCDIA distributes monthly updates with opportunities and events within the aerospace, defence & security industry. WCDIA and its Board are not responsible for the accuracy of the contents. Please DO NOT contact WCDIA or the sender of the email for inquiries about third party information or events.
WCDIA News
We want to hear from you!

WCDIA is exploring the options to best serve our community during the COVID-19 outbreak and we want to hear from you!

Please complete the short survey to help us determine where we should be focusing over the next few months, what your challenges have been, what programs work or don't work for you and how you have been doing during the pandemic.
Featured News
Update on Emergency Ventilator Project

Ocalink is a Western Canadian company that 29 days ago embarked on a project to create an emergency ventilator with as few parts as possible that could be quickly manufactured with a wide and diversified supply base ( See original Call to Action here ).

COVID-19 is a disease that severely impacts patients’ lungs and their ability to breathe. Around 5% of the time, a ventilator is required to keep patients alive. Under high projection scenarios, Canada will not have enough ventilators to face demand.

Here is what has happened since the last update:
  • Over 360 companies and organizations from across the West and across Canada have now signed up to work with Ocalink.
  • Ocalink has completed testing with Alberta Health Services as of April 17th.
  • There are a number of Canadian and international organizations that have Purchase Orders prepared for this ventilator.
  • Our newly created supply chain will be building ventilator parts as early as this week.
  • Ventilators will be shipping starting at the end of April.
  • We still need as many suppliers and manufacturers as possible. If you are interested, please go to www.ocalink.com and click the link to sign up to help.
  • We are also looking for senior executives from Aerospace and Defence companies to work with us in our Advisory Council. Please send an email to info@ocalink.com if you can attend zoom meetings about an hour a week over the next few weeks.
COVID-19 Resources and Programs

Federal Government
Information about what the Government of Canada is doing to address business needs during this crisis. Updated regularly.

the GoC has released a list of PPE that is most needed. Companies can provide information on what they have available to supply by clicking on the link to the COVID-19 Submission Form.

If your company has the ability and the interest to manufacture medical supplies, you can register on the website.

Call for Proposals (CFP) under the Testing Steam, to help public sector organizations fight against COVID-19 in innovative ways. Through this competition, they hope to discover leading-edge prototypes that can be tested by federal, provincial, and municipal organizations in their own operational setting.

More programs in an effort to help find solutions to the COVID-19 outbreak while protecting our economy and the health and safety of all Canadians.

Alberta Government
Information about what the Government of Alberta is doing to address business needs during this crisis. Updated regularly.

An online tool that lets public and private sector users manage, advertise, distribute, and download public purchasing opportunities for goods, services, and construction in Alberta.

Add your company’s capabilities to the database, and if there is an emergency requirement for your product or service, you will be contacted by a representative of the Government of Alberta.

Other
CDL Recovery will apply CDL’s objectives-based mentorship model to rapidly transform scientific innovations into products and services that address the public health (e.g., diagnostic tests, vaccines, remote treatments, telemedicine) and economic recovery (e.g. virtual work, retraining, remote operation, automation, food supply) challenges that are emerging in the current crisis.

Sign up for their info Session on April 21, 2020 at 11AM EST on the website.

As part of a coordinated effort to fight COVID-19, IDEaS is informing innovators about COVID-19 related challenges being issued by the NATO Innovation Hub. The NATO Innovation Hub is a community where experts from around the world collaborate to tackle NATO challenges and design solutions. In response to the pandemic, the Innovation Hub has issued two challenges:
  • Identifying false information and mitigate its effects; and
  • Delivering supply to isolated individuals and teams.
Challenges are open to all. Submit your solutions on their website.

A great resource tool for all things COVID-19 and business management during this outbreak. They even include some fun links to help with self-care and relaxing!
April 2020 Funding Alert: Federal and Provincial Funding Programs

Strategic Timelines releases a bulletin to assist companies become quickly oriented to  New Funding Programs.

The latest release:
Member Showcase
Savailin Enterprises Ltd.

Savailin Enterprises Ltd. is a fabrication facility that offers shop and on-site services located in Lac La Biche, Alberta.

We have been serving northern Alberta for well over ten years. Our 10,000 sq. ft. facility is home to a 250 ton 10 foot capacity brake and a 10 ton overhead crane.

With our ironworker and bandsaws, we offer a wide range of different options for your projects. Our CNC plasma has the ability to cut 2" mild steel, aluminum and stainless at a bed size of 9' x 25'.

We are ABSA ceritfied and CWB certified and in house QA/QC and engineering capabilities. We strive for excellence in all jobs big or small.

Coffee Club
Coffee Clubs Postponed until July 2020

Given the current state of the COVID-19 outbreak we have decided to suspend all networking events until July at which time we will re-evaluate based on the safety of our members and the public.

More information will be available as we learn more.
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Calling all WCDIA members*:

Would you like to host the next coffee club networking event at your place of business or education facility? Please send us an email at  admin@wcdia.com  to let us know you are interested.
*Hosting companies must be in good standing with WCDIA.
WCDIA | 403.710.0982   | admin@wcdia.com   | www.wcdia.com
This email was sent by Western Canadian Defence Industries Association (WCDIA). WCDIA promotes Western businesses as viable suppliers for federal defence procurement initiatives. WCDIA aims to provide a means of mutual support to Tier 2 and smaller Western Canadian companies; to help develop their ability to serve the procurement needs of the Canadian defence industry. The WCDIA’s intent is to provide its members with practical training and advice on critical tools and issues.