Tories say Bombardier tests Liberals’ promises

OTTAWA • Justin Trudeau refused Monday to denounce Bombardier for enriching its executives even as the firm rakes in more than $1 billion in taxpayer money, drawing opposition charges the Liberals are on wobbly legs when it comes to standing up for the middle class.

The ensuing public outcry has prompted the Montrealbased aerospace firm to put off for a year giving six executives more than half of the compensation it had planned — and has also prompted the prime minister to change his tone. Last week, Trudeau said the government respects “the free market and the choices that companies will make.” On Monday, he said the government is “obviously not pleased” with Bombardier’s decision, “but we are happy to see it make decisions that are fixing that for Quebecers’ and Canadians’ confidence.”

Bombardier is eliminating 14,500 jobs around the world by the end of next year, part of a restructuring plan aimed at helping the company turn itself around. The plan includes federal and provincial money: a $372.5-million federal loan for Bombardier’s CSeries and Global 7000 aircraft programs, and $1 billion from Quebec.

Last week, the firm issued a proxy circular showing six executives were in line for a nearly 50-per-cent increase in compensation, most to be granted in 2019.

“This is not helping the middle class. This is lining the pockets of the 1 per cent of the 1 per cent with tax dollars,” interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose said during question period.

“We have seen anger expressed by voters in both the United States and in Canada about how out of touch elites are,” Conservative leadership candidate Michael Chong wrote in an email to supporters. “The Bombardier example is one reason why this anger is out there. And citizens and taxpayers have every right to be upset.”