MONTREAL - The Harper government is about to announce nearly a billion dollars in aid for Canada's aerospace industry, Radio-Canada reports.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government will announce $900 million in assistance over five years for the industry, based mainly in Quebec, according to the television network.

Public Works Minister Michael Fortier and Industry Minister Maxime Bernier will make the announcement in Montreal on Monday, according to the report.

The assistance would be a reversal for the Conservative government which says it prefers cutting taxes to create a business-friendly environment over subsidies.

Radio-Canada says the aid will go to research and development and the government intends to be repaid on the investment.