Furloughed Workers To Remain Off The Job

Newly-elected conservatives in the Canadian federal government have declined Diamond Aircraft Industries' request for a 35-million-dollar loan to recall furloughed workers and resume the D-Jet program. The immediate effect will be the continued furlough of about 200 workers laid off at the end of March. The longer-term possibilities have a familiar theme.

Company President Peter Maurer has been quoted in local media in the London, Ontario area as noting that talks with potential Chinese investors started about six years ago, and have recently been dormant, but he adds that if a serious offer were to come from China, it would be difficult to turn it down. Maurer also noted that talented people who've been laid off during the delayed consideration of the loan are now likely to find work elsewhere.

"It’s going to hurt the city, for sure," London City Councilman Bud Polhill told the London Free Press. "It’s going to send a lot of high-tech people somewhere else. That’s a real problem for me and it’s devastating for . . . London’s high-tech industry."

The federal government already has 20-million dollars into the program, an investment made from a fund earmarked for assisting high-tech companies with research and development.

"I am confident that Diamond received a fair and thorough review of their request," Conservative Member of Parliament Ed Holder, who represents the London West District, told the paper. "I am also confident that the potential use of taxpayer money was also carefully considered. As I stated in the beginning, the request would be judged solely on its merits and this has taken place."

FMI: www.diamondaircraft.com