Bombardier still facing wrath

Bombardier appears unable to shake off public anger over hefty pay packages to its senior executives.

Dozens of angry protesters launched paper airplanes in front of Premier Philippe Couillard’s Montreal offices on Sunday to protest how the executives are compensated.

Earlier, many of them waved signs and shouted slogans such as “too much is too much!” during a march that began in front of the company’s headquarters.

Many of the protesters said they wanted the Quebec government to impose conditions on companies that receive public money so jobs are protected and executive bonuses are limited.

“It’s our money, and the government is laughing at us,” said one protester, Pierre Brazeau. “If we don’t come out in the streets, they’ll continue to exploit us like they’re doing now.”

Bombardier has faced a storm of public criticism ever since it circulated documents showing six executives were in line for a roughly 50 per cent increase in compensation last year.

The increases came despite the fact the company recently received a $372.5-million loan from the federal government, and US$1 billion from the Quebec government.

Chief executive Alain Bellemare has since asked the company’s board of directors to delay payment of more than half of last year’s total planned compensation for six executives, including himself, to 2020, provided the company meets certain objectives.