Philippe Couillard defends Bombardier bailout, angering public sector strikers

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard is defending a decision to provide a $1.32-billion bailout to Bombardier as striking public sector workers question his government's priorities.

• Quebec puts $1 billion into Bombardier as company reports $6.46 billion in losses
• Faces of the Quebec public sector strike

The province saidThursday it isinvesting the money intothe Montreal-based company'sCSeries jet,which is about two years behind schedule.

Bombardier, whichposted a$6.46-billionloss for thethird quarter, is crucial to the provincial economy, Couillardsaid.Bombardier is one of Quebec's largest employers, with roughly 15,000 workers in the province about a fifth of its global workforce.

"It's an investment. Itgives us assurances that the headquarterswill stayfor 20 years in Montreal," he said.

"The aeronautics industry in Quebec, for Montreal, is just as important as the automobile industry in Ontario. There were a lot of efforts whenthe automobile industry sector was struggling,and it's totally reasonablethat the state would help in a sector just as important in Quebec."

After the deal with the government of Quebec, Bombardier will own50.5 per cent of a new joint venture, with49.5 per cent belongingtothe province. The provincial government has committed to the project for at least 20 years.

Economy Minister JacquesDaoustsaidQuebec's aerospace industry pays salaries that are double the provincial average and the province's investment will directly support up to 2,500 CSeries jobs.

The provincewill be borrowing money to make the investment in Bombardier, Couillard said.

Economy Minister Jacques Daoust said theprovince's aeronautics industry is the crown jewel in Quebec's economy and he couldn't let the company fail.

Upon learning of the agreement,a group of striking teachers gathered outside Bombardier's office in Montreal Thursday morning, chanting "$1 billion for our schools!"

JamesDufault, who teaches at Royal West Academy in Montreal West,saidthe province's decision to investin struggling Bombardier shows that its priorities aresupportingbusinesses rather than Quebec children.

"The timing is kind of priceless, right?" he said.

Catherine Goudreau, another school teacher, agrees.

"The government is always out to bail out the private industry, but there's never any money for the public sector."

Opposition slams move

The dealdominated question period at Quebec's National Assembly, with oppositionleaders attacking the premier over the deal.

Parti QubcoisLeader Pierre Karl Pladeau and Coalition Avenir Quebec LeaderFranois Legault contended the government isn't investing taxpayer money in the right way.

"The government is a poor negotiator," saidPladeau, who arguedthe province should invest in Bombardier's parent company, not the CSeries subsidiary.

The premier, in turn,criticizedPladeau and Legault, saying they demonstrated a "lack of confidence towardBombardier and the aerospace industry in Montreal."

Daoustsaid the deal with Bombardier would help grow the province's economy and, ultimately, "help pay for services" in sectors like education.