Bombardier Delays New CSeries Jets, Gets $2 Billion Order

Marc, mon vieux;

Yes, they are, but as far as I have heard they only run the Lear bizjet programme out of Ontario and Ireland for that matter (what part of Canada is that place by the way?). But, Jim has a point, however crudely expressed.

Quebec, as personified by Bombardier, farms out ZERO work for the rest of the country, they keep all the meat and potatoes down home in Montreal - that means no part manufacturing, no assembly, no engineering - no nothing for the rest of us, unless, for capacity reasons, it happens to suit them to get it elsewhere, and that is rare. Years ago they tried to headhunt me for the F18 programme as I am an engineer. You will all remember that one - Bombardier was underbid by Bristol in Winnipeg to the tune of about 20%, but the then prime minister, from Quebec, that crooked jerk Brian Mulroney who has retired in style in, guess where? Florida, made the public statement: "The centre of aviation in this country is in Quebec and it is going to stay there!" - and he meant it, so it has stayed. The company I worked for at that time, NorthWest Industries in Edmonton was in line to get 25% of the Bristol work. NorthWest was later sold a couple of times and subsequently expired for lack of work). When I asked them what programme they said: F18. When I asked where, they said: Montreal. No thanks. Oh yeah, this was some 2 months prior to the public announcement and Mulroney shooting his mouth off.

Now, for better or worse I am still a Canadian. But gee, it would sure be nice if people in Quebec viewed themselves that way too. And although I don't work in the aviation industry any more (not by choice), I have paid for this latest C series programme with my taxes, over the table, under the table, however they do it down there. I also paid for the CL415, the Challenger and the Dash 8 programmes over the years, but I don't see a whole lot of return for my money out here. When it that going to change Bombardier??? Eh, Quebec? - Je me souviens beaucoup des choses.

Gerry Kent

why are we always giving this Quebec outfit money? They dont even want to be Canadians.

With redneck comments like Jim's no wonder some people don't find it appealing to be part of the Canadian landscape. By the way, isn't Bombardier also a major aerospace employer in the Royal Canadian province of Ontario???

Gerry, thanks for sharing your view and experience on the aerospace situation in Canada. My comment on Bombardier's presence in Ontario was targeted at the Downsview Dash8 and Global Express plants which, I believe, produce more aircraft than the plant here in Montreal.
I don't have employment figures but I estimate that Bombardier's decision to keep the plant in Downsview instead of moving it to Mtl when they bought DHC has kept a fair number of aerospace jobs in the Queen city.
All that being said, I just read today that the Russians apparently have a deal to produce 100 DH8-400NG... I just hope none of Jim's money is heading east.....
Salutations / Cheers!
Marc