The boss of Bombardier criticizes a lack of vision and improvisation on the part of Canada to support the aeronautical industry in the country.
Éric Martel praised the American model on Wednesday during a conference organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM). According to him, Canada should take inspiration from its southern neighbor in terms of supplying military aircraft.
“I have to give a lot of credit to the Americans for their model. The American government, via the Pentagon, works very closely with aircraft manufacturers, including us,” declared the president and CEO of the Quebec company in his speech.
He stressed that the United States is injecting money to support research and development.
“The Americans work well with their industry. It is harmonized with a long-term view on how we do things through defense and other means,” Mr. Martel subsequently stated, while answering questions from the president and CEO of the CCMM, Michel Leblanc.
“At home, we improvise a little,” continued the CEO of Bombardier. Without going into details, he mentioned in the same breath Ottawa’s decision, last fall, to buy surveillance planes from Boeing from the United States without a call for tenders, putting aside the Quebec company.
The senior executive nevertheless said he was happy and supportive of the creation of an aerospace innovation zone in Greater Montreal, announced in May by the Quebec government.
The former rail and commercial aviation giant has taken a turn in recent years to specialize in business jets. Bombardier is also looking to expand in the defense niche. The company wants this sector, combined with used aircraft and after-sales services, to represent 50% of its turnover in 2030.
