The Minister of Economy, Innovation and Exports, Jacques Daoust, accompanied by the Minister for Transport and Implementation of Maritime Strategy and Minister responsible for the Bas regions -Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Jean D'Amour, and the Member of Côte-du-Sud, Norbert Morin announced that Bombardier Transportation Canada and Alstom Transport Canada continue manufacturing Azur Montreal subway trains. To allow the continuation of this major project, temporary funding of $ 31.5 million was required.
In January, Bombardier announced a possible stop of production due to a delay in delivery of the automatic control system software, essential for the safe operation of trains Azur.
Funding awarded through Investissement Québec, and will maintain production trains and consolidate 245 jobs, including 145 at Bombardier Transportation, located in La Pocatière.
"For our government, it was imperative to act quickly to preserve the jobs that result from the production of Azur trains. With this funding, we offer a promising solution for the future of these employees, "said Minister Jacques Daoust.
"It was important not to accumulate delay in the production of 468 cars Azur, which are needed to increase the capacity of our already crowded subway. We are pleased to obtain this funding, which will not delay production, users eagerly awaiting delivery ", said the mayor of the city of Montreal Denis Coderre.
"We welcome this initiative of the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Exports, particularly as this agreement will be concluded at no cost to the STM. Indeed, all the measures put in place to receive as soon as possible subway cars Azur are welcome, "said Chairman of the Board of Directors of the STM, Philippe Schnobb.
"With this announcement, the project partners concretely demonstrate the importance they attach to the economic development of Quebec and the Quebec government reiterates its support for the manufacturing industry," stated the president of Bombardier Transportation Americas division Raymond Bachant.
"This support demonstrates the confidence of the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Exports to the STM, Alstom, Bombardier and manufacturing of Quebec. It is part of the goal to continue to create and maintain local manufacturing jobs, "said Alstom Transport Canada Vice President Angelo Guercioni.
"Bombardier is a flagship of the regional economy, which is why it was important to support this company that employs hundreds of people in La Pocatière. In this sense, we welcome this announcement today means a lot to maintain the economic vitality of our community, "concluded D'Amour and Morin.
