As Bombardier unveils ‘world’s fastest business jet,’ CEO says he’s unsure of Saab’s jobs claim

In an exclusive one-on-one interview with CTV News, Bombardier CEO Eric Martel speaks about extending the company's reach into the defence industry.

As Bombardier showcased its newest jet, the company CEO says he hasn’t “checked the math” on Saab’s claim its fighter jets would bring 10,000 jobs to Canada.

The Canadian aerospace giant revealed what it calls “the world’s fastest business jet” on Monday, as they celebrated the entry-into-service of the Bombardier Global 8000 business aircraft at its facility in Mississauga, Ont.

In an exclusive interview with CTV News Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor Omar Sachedina, the head of the company said the aerospace industry, which has more than 200,000 jobs in Canada, has — so far — risen above the trade war with the United States.

“The supply chains are so connected together that eventually … we both need each other," said Éric Martel, Bombardier president and CEO. Even if the current North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is renegotiated, he is still optimistic.

“I think there’s a bit of a consensus in aerospace, even if you’re an American or a Canadian company or a French company, that tariffs will be terrible for everybody,” he said.

Martel says the United States is the biggest market for its new plane, which features parts built in the U.S. and Mexico, with the final completion taking place in Montreal. The cost is around US$83 million, but his customers are not necessarily celebrities.

“Most of the people that are using our plane are CEOs of global companies. They have a global business,” he said, adding that they “fly hundreds of hours a year.”

Bombardier claims the Global 8000 is the fastest civil aircraft since the Concorde, with a top speed of Mach 0.95, which is nearly 1,200 km/h, and a range of 8,000 nautical miles, or nearly 15,000 kilometres.

The aircraft holds up to 19 passengers in four different living areas, including a principal suite with an ensuite bathroom and a stand-up shower. The plane also features a full-size kitchen, ultra-large windows, a 55-inch 4K television, along with the lowest cabin altitude in the industry.

“When you fly a long distance, think 12 to 15 hours, you will feel tired,” Martel explained. “When you are at a lower altitude ... your body will feel rested.”

Even though the jet costs tens of millions of dollars, Martel says a move by the federal government to scrap a 10 per cent luxury tax is making a big difference to its customers.

“Pre-luxury tax, we used to sell nine to 10 aircraft in Canada. (With) the luxury tax, our sales went down to two to three airplanes in Canada,” he said, adding that as soon as it was removed, the phone started ringing with orders.

At Monday’s event inside Bombardier’s Aircraft Assembly Centre, the first Global 8000 customer, Patrick Dovigi, was there to get the keys. Dovigi is the founder and CEO of GFL Environmental, a Canadian waste management company.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was also there, along with Canadian rock star Tom Cochrane, who performed and called Bombardier “a great Canadian success story.”

It’s a different story now for the company than it was a decade ago, when the company sought help from Canadian taxpayers. The federal government delivered more than $370 million in interest-free loans in 2017 and that was after a $1-billion investment by the province of Quebec.

Controversy soon followed after the company increased compensation for senior executives by nearly 50 per cent to more than US$32 million, almost immediately after the company laid off thousands of workers and sought government aid.

Bombardier CEO hasn’t examined Saab’s job pledge

That was before Martel became CEO in the spring of 2020, and before it launched its dedicated defence division in 2022. Bombardier is now working to partner with Saab as the Swedish company hopes to sell its Gripen fighter jets to Ottawa to replace Canada’s aging fleet.

Saab has suggested its proposal could bring 10,000 jobs to Canada, which some industry experts have questioned.

Martel says he can’t confirm that number either.

“I think when they say 10,000, they probably also look at the whole maintenance after, and support and service,” he said. “I don’t know, I haven’t checked their numbers, but I’m assuming it includes all after-market and support for the next 30 years.”

He says Bombardier’s role in this project would involve assembly of the fighter jets. As part of its sales pitch, Sweden sent a high-profile delegation to Ottawa last month, including its king and queen, who sat down with CTV News for an exclusive interview.

Whether building defence or civil aircraft, Martel says Canada plays an important role in this global industry.

“If you look at countries that can build, design, and certify a plane, there’s just very few of them … and Canada is one of them. We’re very proud of being capable of doing that in our country,” he said.