The CEO of London's Diamond Aircraft denies he threatened to close his company if federal financing wasn't approved. Christian Dries says that statement, made by London West Conservative candidate Ed Holder, was "reckless" and could result in a loss of customers or business for the Austrian-owned company.
Dries voiced his opposition to Holder's comments in a letter. He went on to say that Holder would "better serve the people if he focused on positive constructive action to keep jobs in Canada, versus only smear campaign tactics for political gain."
Back in March, Diamond Aircraft requested a $35 million loan from the federal government. The company says it has over 220 orders for D-Jets, a 5-seater jet that's faster than a propeller plane. Those orders total more than $400 million, but Diamond Aircraft says it needs the loan to start production. The D-Jets would be built in London and save more than 200 jobs at the aerospace plant. Another 500 jobs could be created once production started.
Diamond Aircraft received a $19.6 million loan back in 2008 for research and development of the D-Jet.
Unelected candidates have been touring the London plant in an attempt to pressure Industry Canada into action. But that action may have backfired for the company. Said London-Fanshawe MP Irene Mattysen back in March: "I think that, unfortunately, bringing in unelected candidates and creating this kind of dynamic doesn't help. It is simply muddying the waters and creating problems where there need not be."
