A Bombardier official says a contract to build 36 bi-level cars for Metrolinx is a good first step for the Thunder Bay plant.
Spokesperson David Van der Wee says it’s a good sign for the future of the facility.
“GO Transit has a very big plan to expand service and this is going to be a part of that plan. And I think our employees here have, through their performance over the past 24 months, have really earned that right to have an opportunity to fill those needs.”
Van der Wee says this is a good first step, but stresses they are looking for additional opportunities.
He says while they are confident in finding even more work for the facility, there could be some roadblocks down the road.
“The buy America provision, that’s always been there, but is now increasing from 65% to 70%, really limits the ability for us to be able to use our Canadian manufacturing sites to support the market in the U.S.”
It was announced in July that the Bombardier facility was in line to lose 550 jobs because of expired contracts.
