- Reaction score
- 7,862
- Points
- 1,160
Where to start?......
First Bombardier.....As a part of receiving government help and financing over the years Bombardier was not to become a defence contractor. (No AVRO again) They could not develop Defence only products period. With the relative recent paring back of the corporation to just biz jets they are freed of that commitment. Also Bombardier's only short to medium growth areas are Gov, Defence and special mission areas. So there is the push. Now add the political aspect of current Government, Laurentian elite and Quebec Inc. pure hate of Boeing and here we are.
Other points, one example going back years Kory Teneycke (well he is the one that told me) wanted to "buy Canadian" with defence procurement, he even said even it cost 3 times as much. (this is the basis of National Shipbuilding Program) The thinking was that that it would help build a natural Conservative base in with a large Canadian MIC. The Harper government did start down this path but a recession, Afgan war and budget realities came first. Plus the realization that many of the workers were CAW (now UNIFOR) and their leaders are very much NDP/LIberals. Add to the fact that Liberals for years have work the opposite plan. Example Bombardier.
Plus there is a look that the current political parts of the gov want to push any real programs to the right.
Not talking about trying to flog abysmal defence projects. Talking about selling stuff that people want to buy....stuff that is already being manufactured in Canada and being sold for profit overseas.
I could add to my list above Oshawa built pickup trucks by GM.
We make good stuff. There are opportunitis to boost those sales.
Even if DND doesnt need or want the gear themselves they can make a profit selling Canadian goods overseas.