Thank you. That's very encouraging to hear. We eagerly await the details.
I imagine, from your answer, that you are taking a page out of France's book; the country put a condition on the financial assistance provided to Air France as part of its bailout for the aviation industry. The seven billion euros is conditional on the preparation of a plan by the airline to green in its fleet.
That works out well, because if the Canadian government had a similar program, it would secure sales for the Mirabel-built Airbus A220, developed as the C series. It is by far the most fuel-efficient and least polluting aircraft in its class. In Quebec, going green pays off.
I suggest the minister consider establishing a loan program for buyers. In the aerospace industry, airlines that own Airbus A220s put them in the air first because they use less fuel and are the only aircraft with the capacity to turn over all their air in flight instead of recycling it.
This is an invaluable asset for air carriers, something they have recognized, especially given the pandemic. Air carriers currently have no liquidity. They are not accepting delivery of aircraft they ordered so they don't have to pay the balance.
The area next to Mirabel is full of parked aircraft because the buyers aren't able to take possession of them now. Chances are they could take possession if they were able to get loans.
The last thing I will say is that the A220 aircraft is about more than just Airbus. It's about Pratt & Whitney engines, CAE flight simulators, Bombardier cockpits, landing gear, fuselages, Héroux-Devtek wheels and hundreds of other parts from small and medium-size businesses that are facing bankruptcy right now.
Minister, what do you have to say about that?