Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard says his government will introduce a bill to thwart any legal challenges to Bombardier and Alstom being awarded the extension of a contract for the renewal of Montreal’s Metro car fleet.
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Couillard met with employees Friday at Bombardier Transportation at its facility northeast of Quebec City.
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The premier says the province would first sign a deal with the City of Montreal for the cars before tabling a bill to secure the agreement.
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Couillard says that plan has been vetted by the province’s lawyers.
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A first contract to make new Azur cars for Montreal’s Metro system ends later this year.
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Montreal-based Bombardier had voiced concerns jobs could be at stake without new business at the La Pocatière plant, which houses the company’s railway division.
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The fate of the facility has been up in the air following the loss of a lucrative Montreal electric train contract and a lack of orders.
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The premier’s visit came a day after a groundbreaking ceremony for the electric train project, which is managed by Quebec’s Caisse de Dépôt pension fund manager.
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The Caisse awarded the rolling stock contract for its $6.3-billion Montreal project to a consortium involving Alstom Transport Canada and a subsidiary of SNC-Lavalin.
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On Thursday, it was announced Alstom will build those trains in India.
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