Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and his International Relations Minister, Christine St. Pierre, went to Mirabel to express their government’s support for Bombardier, its employees and provincial suppliers of the C-series aircraft.
The Premier’s message to employees was clear.
“Each of them is doing a fantastic job. The way to keep on winning - and we will win - is to keep making here the best plane in the world in its category.”
When speaking to reporters Couillard appeared angered by the U.S. Commerce Department decision and he has no intention of backing down.
“I will not change my tone. I will not change my words. It’s an unacceptable attack towards an industry, a province and a country,” said Couillard.
Suggestions by Manitoba’s Premier and the mayor of Winnipeg that Quebec cool-its-jets with the rhetoric about Boeing fell on deaf ears. There are roughly 4,000 jobs linked to Boeing in Manitoba’s aerospace sector, but Premier Couillard is having none of it.
“I will not tone down. I will tone up, if I need to do it,” quipped Couillard.
As for Quebec’s aerospace suppliers that do business with Boeing, the Premier said they do a great job and that they will keep their relationships.
Couillard is correct when he said this dispute goes much beyond Bombardier. He was referring to Canadian military aircraft contracts.
Boeing wants a piece of that business and Minister St. Pierre, had a message for them.
"If you want to play this game, think about it.”
For its part, a Bombardier spokesperson said there is a trade dispute process in place and that the company will be watching it closely.