Toronto Bombardier employees react to 'gloomy' atmosphere after cuts
Company announces layoffs in Toronto and Montreal as it adjusts to weaker demand for business jets
Bombardier says it's cutting about 480 jobs at the Toronto assembly facility in response to what it calls an "industry-wide softness in demand."
But there will be no effect on Porter Airlines' plans to introduce Bombardier-made jets to its fleet on the island airport, pending a proposed runway extension.
The cuts will see up to 1,000 positions affected in Montreal and up to 280 in Belfast, the company said Thursday in a release.
Bombardier had said last week that it was planning another round of cost-cutting to adjust to weaker demand for business jets and warned layoffs were likely in Toronto and Montreal.
At the Toronto Downsview plant, employees described the news as difficult nonetheless.
"There were rumours before so they may be somewhat prepared," said one employee.
"It makes it very gloomy in there," said another about the plant. "It's hard."
Éric Martel, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft, said the company is "taking steps to adjust production" after lower energy prices and political turmoil in such markets as Russia, China and Brazil have sliced into the demand for Bombardier's largest business planes, forcing it to reduce production of its Global 5000/6000 planes.
Ontario's minister of economic development, Brad Duguid, said despite cuts to Bombardier plants in Toronto, there is reason to be optimistic.
"Bombardier has been a significant economic contributor to Ontario for over 20 years, and has made it clear that the manufacturing outlook for the Global 7000 and Global 8000 business aircrafts, which will be made in Toronto, remains very strong," he said.
With files from The Canadian Press