Canada passed Bill C-10 into law that that allows Air Canada to outsource maintenance, after a ultimatum by Kevin Howlett, the senior vice-president for government affairs and regional markets for Air Canada.
Kevin Howlett stated before passage of the bill:
“If this bill does not go forward, we will not create the centre of excellence in Manitoba, and we will not create a centre of excellence in Quebec,
Nor will the airline be buying new jets from Bombardier.
We are not prepared to make that scope of a financial commitment and do so in an environment of legal uncertainty, there are other alternatives other than C-series.”
Manitoba Sen. Don Plett was upset by that ultimatum and responded :
“So in plain words, ‘You do what we want or we’re going to stick it to you.’”
The new law amends the Air Canada Public Participation Act and lifts a long-standing requirement that the airline keep its maintenance operations in Winnipeg, Montreal and Mississauga.
Photo of Kevin Howlett from Air Canada
