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Quebec has backup plan if Feds say no to Bombardier’s C Series
The Quebec government has provided temporary solutions in the event Ottawa does not invest in Bombardier’s CSeries aircraft program, Minister of Transport Jacques Daoust said Thursday.
March 14, 2016 By The Canadian Press
Quebec needs Bombardier to stay afloat to protect the province’s investment and “we will continue to support Bombardier,” he said.
Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains on Wednesday acknowledged receipt of Bombardier’s request, which would have Ottawa match the province’s injection.
“It’s $1 billion U.S., like us,” Daoust said. “This third partner would be ideal for launching a machine like this one.”
However, Quebec has a backup plan in case the federal government resists calls, he said. “We were able to find other solutions, which we provided for in the agreement we have with them.”
Daoust explained that more guarantees could be claimed from the company, but reiterated that the business model was developed for there to be a third player.
The minister welcomed Ottawa’s intention to review the law that requires Air Canada to operate a service centre in three Canadian cities, including Montreal. As part of the deal in which Air Canada intends to purchase 45 CSeries planes, Quebec has agreed to waive its legal action against the air carrier for the maintenance of its aircraft here in exchange for a commitment to keep the CSeries in Quebec.
