Mr. Speaker, some job losses are more surprising than others and less publicized. This is the case for the job cuts in the aerospace sector. First, it was Bell Helicopter and now Bombardier Aerospace has announced the layoff of 710 employees in the Montreal area alone. Another leader of the Quebec economy has fallen prey to the economic crisis and the failure of the Conservatives in Quebec to take remedial action.
What was the response of the Minister of Industry this week when questioned about this sector in particular? On February 3, he announced that all was well with this industry in Quebec. On the eve of the 710 layoffs, he confirmed that the sector was a global competitor and that the Conservatives would continue to support it. But what are they really doing?
The Bloc Québécois fears that the Conservatives will offer the aerospace industry the same support the forestry and manufacturing sectors received in the recent budget—a mere pittance.