It’s not ‘a subsidy’: First Air seeks $42M from feds for new planes – CBC

Apr 25, 2016

Transport Canada expresses concern about economic viability of northern airlines in briefing note

First Air has been lobbying the federal government for $42 million to replace some aging planes in the company’s fleet, but the company says it is not seeking a handout.

“This is a loan,” said Bert van der Stege, First Air’s vice-president. “This is not a contribution or a subsidy. This is a loan that the government makes available to businesses.”

In January Brock Friesen, First Air’s president and CEO, wrote the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance asking for “a financial contribution of $42M over two federal fiscal years,” starting in the 2016-17 fiscal year.

Read More: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/first-air-wants-federal-government-loan-1.3549516