Bombardier Expands Its Manufacturing Footprint in Dorval with $100 Million Project to Support Worldwide Growth
Press Release + Noah Note
Bombardier will celebrate the announcement of a new 126,000-square-foot manufacturing centre in Dorval today
This new manufacturing centre will complement Bombardier’s existing facilities, with the goal of further increasing production capacity and productivity. Opening is scheduled before the end of 2027
The Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Christine Fréchette, is set to announce a $35 million repayable loan from Investissement Québec’s ESSOR program to back the project
Bombardier is announcing today a new 126,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing centre in Dorval, which marks a significant milestone in its growth strategy. Located near the Challenger manufacturing centre and the Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre, this new facility will further expand Bombardier’s industrial footprint and strengthen its production capabilities. Bombardier will host an event at 1 p.m. to celebrate the announcement, in the presence of industry and government representatives, as well as Bombardier employees.
The project represents an investment of approximately $100 million and is part of the company’s long-term strategy to boost productivity as it responds to growing demand for its business aircraft. This new facility, set to open before the end of 2027(1), is expected to create skilled job opportunities.
“This major investment demonstrates our commitment to support Bombardier’s growth and build the infrastructure we need to maximize our productivity. As we expand our manufacturing capacity, we’re positioning ourselves to keep up with global demand and solidify our position at the top of the business aviation industry,” said David Murray, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing, IT and Bombardier Operational Excellence System. “We also want to acknowledge the effectiveness of Investissement Québec’s programs for supporting business growth. The ESSOR program, which will finance part of our expansion through a repayable loan, supports Bombardier’s global growth objectives while creating quality jobs in the province of Quebec.”
To support this strategic initiative, Quebec’s Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy and Minister responsible for the Montérégie region, Christine Fréchette, will be in attendance to announce a $35 million repayable, non-forgivable loan under Investissement Québec’s ESSOR program, which is managed by the government. The program was created to help promote Quebec’s competitive manufacturing sector and economic vitality.
“By supporting the expansion of Bombardier, a world‑class prime contractor, our government is generating significant economic benefits for the entire Quebec supply chain and for the aerospace cluster. This investment will also lead to the creation of hundreds of highly skilled, well‑paid jobs, while strengthening Quebec’s expertise. Thanks to its know‑how and its capacity for innovation, Bombardier is helping to consolidate Quebec’s global position in this strategic sector, and I am very proud to support this homegrown company,” said Christine Fréchette, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy and Minister responsible for the Montérégie region.
The announcement is the latest in a series of major economic contributions by Bombardier to Quebec and Canada. The latest PwC study commissioned by Bombardier found that Bombardier contributed a total of $7.4 billion (direct, indirect, and induced) to Canada’s GDP in 2024 and sustained nearly 50,000 jobs across the country. In Quebec alone, Bombardier creates nearly 10,000 direct jobs and is a direct source for over 31% of aerospace employment, ranking it as one of the province’s largest manufacturing employers.(
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking and based on current expectations.
Forward-looking statements require us to draw conclusions based on assumptions and involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, meaning that our results in subsequent periods could differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.
About Bombardier
At Bombardier (BBD-B.TO), we design, build, modify and maintain the world’s best-performing aircraft for the world’s most discerning people, businesses, governments and military forces. That means not simply exceeding standards, but understanding customers well enough to anticipate their unspoken needs.
For them, we are committed to pioneering the future of aviation—innovating to make flying more reliable, efficient and sustainable. And we are passionate about delivering unrivalled craftsmanship and care, giving our customers greater confidence and the elevated experience they deserve and expect. Because people who shape the world will always need the most productive and responsible ways to move through it.
Bombardier customers operate a fleet of more than 5,200 aircraft, supported by a vast network of Bombardier team members worldwide and 10 service facilities across 6 countries. Bombardier’s performance-leading jets are proudly manufactured in aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. In 2024, Bombardier was honoured with the prestigious “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award for Brands and Communication Design.
Noah Note: This is hardly a shock. It's been discussed for a while that an expansion was needed at Dorval. Bombardier, funny enough to some, has actually been doing well over the last few quarters, and the recent drop of the luxury tax on private jets has given them a bit of breathing room to take advantage of.
While we have mostly been focusing on Gripen when it comes to recent defence discussions revolving around Bombardier, it's easy to forget that they've had a fairly good year defence-wise without it. This includes new orders for both GlobalEye in France and Phoenix in Korea, the launch of the Global 8000 last month, a new contract as part of the Airlift Capability - Multi-Role Flight Service Project, and a seemingly upcoming investment with the RCAF.
Bombardier is, of course, riding the Gripen train, but even without it, the company continues to secure new orders. That’s on top of ongoing work related to HADES and PEGASUS, the high potential for a NATO AEWC contract, and yes, our own AEWC contract. If you're Bombardier, there's no better time to make such a move to increase capacity than now.
It seemingly only goes up from here.
Canada could be doing more to lean in on the military applications of the G6500. AWEAC, stand off EW/EA, and surveillance are all ways other countries have utilized the platform - these are not capabilities Canada has outside of some SOF applications, but they are valuable. If we want to mature a high-tech, export oriented defence industry, the existing success of the G6500 is a good place to invest.
Quebec is placing a $35 million bet on Bombardier, but Ottawa remains skeptical. The House of Commons Defence committee recently heard testimony describing Bombardier’s military plans as just "paper aircraft" compared to Boeing's fleet. This new Dorval facility is likely an attempt to prove that the domestic manufacturing capacity is real. We will see if this investment shifts the debate during the next federal procurement review.