This agreement, which provides for the purchase of 45 Bombardier CS300 airplanes by Air Canada, and an option for 30 additional C Series planes, will have significant economic benefits for Quebec’s aerospace industry.
This agreement, which is worth $5.2 billion Canadian ($3.8 billion US) for a total of 45 airplanes, confirms that Quebec has made the right choice in partnering with Bombardier, a jewel of our economy, in the development of the C Series fleet.
Our government has always believed in the growth potential of the C Series airplane, and I am convinced that this agreement will reinforce its strong position in the commercial aerospace market.
– Philippe Couillard
Quebec City, February 17, 2016. – The Premier of Quebec, Philippe Couillard, and the MInister of Economic Development, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for Digital Strategy, Dominique Anglade, applaud the commercial agreement that Air Canada has entered into with Bombardier.
Creation of a centre of excellence in Quebec
In order to maximize the economic benefits of this transaction, the Government of Quebec and Air Canada have entered into an agreement by virtue of which Air Canada undertakes to have maintenance and repairs of its C Series airplanes performed in Quebec for the next twenty years. By making this pledge, Air Canada is contributing to the creation of a world-class centre of excellence in Quebec.
In order to conclude negotiations leading toward this agreement, the Government of Quebec agreed to cease its litigation with Air Canada with regard to maintaining maintenance activities in the Montreal urban agglomeration.
In addition, the Government of Quebec and Bombardier agreed to enter into an agreement by virtue of which Bombardier undertakes to facilitate the creation of a centre of excellence in Quebec for repairs and maintenance of C Series airplanes. In return, the Government of Quebec will use every means necessary to support this new project.
With Air Canada placing a firm order for 45 CS300 planes, and the creation of a centre of excellence for the maintenance of the C Series fleet, there will undoubtedly be significant economic benefits, not only for Quebec’s aerospace industry, but also for the Quebec economy as a whole.
Homegrown production of C Series planes will lead to the creation of almost 300 new jobs, bringing the total number of workers assigned to this project to 2,500 (2,200 existing employees and 300 new employees). The creation of a centre of excellence for repairs and maintenance of C Series planes operated by Air Canada and other carriers will create a further 1000 jobs in Quebec over a 15 year period.
– Dominique Anglade
