Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada since 2015, announced his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party. During his tenure, he made key decisions that shaped the country's aerospace industry but also faced criticism for the outcomes of some of these measures.
In 2017, Trudeau granted interest-free loans totaling $372.5 million to Bombardier to support programs like the CSeries, an ambitious project aimed at competing in the global market. However, financial difficulties led the company to sell the program to Airbus in 2018.
The CSeries became the Airbus A220, which now operates successfully worldwide, but the strategic control of this key project left Canadian hands, sparking criticism over the use of public funds for a benefit that ultimately went to foreign entities.
In the realm of military aviation, Trudeau faced a complicated process to replace the aging CF-18s. After years of delays and evaluations, his government approved the purchase of 88 F-35A fighter jets from Lockheed Martin in 2022.
Although this decision modernizes Canada’s air capabilities, it was controversial due to its high cost—estimated at $19 billion—and for reversing an initial stance of the Liberal Party, which had previously criticized the F-35 acquisition during election campaigns.
Globally, Trudeau strengthened Canada’s position in civil aviation by maintaining its commitment to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), headquartered in Montreal. He participated in international initiatives to improve sustainability and safety in the sector, solidifying Canadian influence on these issues.
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