My dear friends, I’m very pleased to be back at BlackBerry QNX to share some good news with you. QNX is recognized here and throughout the world as a company at the forefront of progress. A company that is constantly striving to push the boundaries of what’s possible and to develop the technologies of the future. Today, more than 120 million cars across the world are using their software, which is designed right here at home. From smart dashboards to secure Bluetooth systems, they enhance the driving experience for thousands of people.

But if brands like Audi, Ford, BMW and Toyota place their trust in QNX’s software, it’s no coincidence. QNX has built a stellar reputation as one of the most reliable and cutting-edge software providers in the world. We all know that the key to any successful company is having the right workers with the right skills, and all of you here at QNX are a great example of that. You embody the culture of innovation that exists not only here in the National Capital Region, but in the minds of countless Canadians right across the country.

But companies like yours also know that to succeed they need to adapt to the changing realities of the industry. When it comes to the auto industry, things like self-parking and automatic braking are rapidly transforming the driving experience, and of course it’s only the beginning. We’re already talking about driverless cars using machine learning to get us from point A to point B. The cars of the future are bound to be not only autonomous, but also connected to one another, communicating between them to make our roads safer.

For a global leader like QNX this represents an unprecedented opportunity for growth, but of course, the competition is fierce. The race for a top spot in the new economy has already begun, and if we want to see Canadians take the lead, we need to have their backs. Today the Government of Canada is investing $40 million to help QNX design and develop a new software platform for the next generation of vehicles. Think of this new platform as the central nervous system of your car. It will consolidate things like lane assistance and blind-spot detection, so that the cars of the future are safer and more reliable.

Today’s investment will help create more than 800 good jobs for Canadians over the next ten years and maintain nearly 300 more. Jobs that will help parents put food on the table and save for their retirement; jobs for young people, women, indigenous peoples or new Canadians as the company will also be implementing a diversity and gender-equity plan to increase representation. QNX will also add 1,000 co-op opportunities for students, work more closely with ten post-secondary institutions, and create new scholarships for young women and indigenous people.

QNX will be adding a total of 1,000 co-op placements for students, in addition to collaborating more closely with ten post-secondary institutions and creating new scholarships and bursaries for young women and indigenous youth. A portion of the funds will also go towards building the R&D capacity of the company in Canada.

Finally, QNX will invest $5 million in the field of cybersecurity. The company will be working with other Canadian innovators and with the entire ecosystem on such things as better protecting our vehicles against cyberattacks and new threats.

Today’s announcement is good news for Canada, and especially Canadians. By making targeted investments in a company that already has a proven track record, we can not only support its future success, but also create good jobs and new opportunities for Canadians.