If you thought Bombardier’s signing a multi-billion-dollar deal with Delta Airlines let Canada’s federal government off the hook, you would be incorrect.
The Quebec-based aerospace manufacturer still very much wants that cash.
WATCH: Bombardier calls Delta deal a ‘watershed moment’
The Quebec government, which has already given Bombardier $1 billion, wants the feds to pitch in, too.
Both Premier Philippe Couillard and opposition party Parti Québécois politicians argue the pressure’s mounting on the federal Liberals to provide financial assistance for Bombardier’s CSeries planes.
WATCH: Quebec hails $5.6B Bombardier CSeries deal a victory
U.S. carrier Delta announced Thursday it’s ordered 75 C100 aircraft from Bombardier, with options for an additional 50. The deal is valued at US$5.6 billion.
READ MORE: How much money does Bombardier owe Canadians? It’s a secret
Bombardier already owes Canadians hundreds of millions of dollars. But we don’t know how much because the federal government says that’s a secret.
The company’s president and CEO Alain Bellemare confirmed Thursday Bombardier would still like the federal assistance.
“We’ve been in discussions with the federal government for many months. So far we haven’t found the right solution,” he told reporters Thursday morning.
“I’m hopeful that we can find a win-win solution moving forward. This will further strengthen our ability to keep investing in the future, in aerospace, right here in Canada. And this financial flexibility is something that is good to have when you operate in a very complex technological environment.”
That continued push for public cash will no doubt disappoint the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, which released a statement Thursday morning congratulating Bombardier on the deal.
“We look forward to either the company formally withdrawing its request to the federal government for additional taxpayer assistance, or the federal government immediately rejecting Bombardier’s current request,” director Aaron Wudrick says in the statement.
Federal Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have both said they’re considering Bombardier’s request for money.
READ MORE: Delta Air Lines places $5.6B order to purchase Bombardier CSeries aircrafts
Pushing for a federal cash infusion, Couillard said Thursday that aerospace is currently the most innovative sector in the Canadian economy.
“We don’t want to become makers of airplanes but we want to support innovation,” he told reporters in Quebec City.
“Governments in a situation like this should not behave like investors or bankers, but economic agents.”
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Couillard argues it’s “paradoxical” that Ottawa provided billions of dollars in loans to Ontario’s auto industry during the 2008 financial crisis but appears to be dragging its feet with respect to Quebec’s key sector.
READ MORE: Quebec premier expects issues to be solved to finalize Bombardier deal
Couillard said he’s not worried about Bombardier’s financial situation, noting the CSeries order book is filled until 2020. Its first commercial flight is scheduled for July in Europe.
WATCH: Bombardier tells investors Delta deal a ‘turning point’
PQ leader Pierre Karl Péladeau called on Ottawa to invest in the aerospace sector as a whole, including Bombardier. He argued the CSeries needs a capital base to really “take off” — and that the cash should come from the federal government.
Even the federal Conservatives haven’t come out against government handouts to Bombardier.
“Conservatives are thrilled that Bombardier has secured a new purchase order for the C Series jet,” reads a statement attributed to innovation critic Diane Finley.
“Conservatives have repeatedly asked the Liberal Government to disclose details about the bailout. This has not happened, and we will not prejudge a plan when we haven’t seen the details.”
WATCH: Despite Delta deal Bombardier still wants federal cash
While things are looking up for Bombardier’s aerospace division, the company’s land-bound business has been dogged by problems. The company said earlier this week its streetcar delivery to Toronto will be delayed again, prompting an “outraged” transit commission CEO Andy Byford to demand an apology.
WATCH: Bombardier deal with Delta long time in the making
Edmonton, which is also expecting light rail vehicles from Bombardier, is “monitoring” Toronto’s predicament, Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson said this week.
WATCH: We’re ‘furious’ with Bombardier, TTC head says
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