COLUMN: When Washington Plays with Fire and Threatens Our Skies

When the Federal Agency Becomes Trump’s Weapon

On February 2, 2026, Bryan Bedford, administrator of the FAA, publicly backed Trump’s accusations. According to him, Transport Canada was taking too long to validate U.S. certifications. “Normally, they set up a validation program, and these things shouldn’t take five, six, or seven years,” he told Bloomberg. Bedford also expressed concerns about whether the resources allocated to U.S. products are equivalent to those devoted to certifying foreign products. The FAA expects aviation authorities in other countries to accept its certifications without undue delay. Adding to the controversy, the U.S. agency granted Gulfstream an exemption through the end of 2026 for the G700 and G800, allowing the manufacturer to deliver these models even while tests are being conducted regarding fuel de-icing.

Do you see the problem here? The FAA grants exemptions to its own manufacturers for safety issues—fuel de-icing is no small matter—but then goes on to criticize Canada for taking its time to validate certifications. This is hypocrisy in its purest form. And it clearly shows that this whole issue has nothing to do with aviation safety. It’s protectionism disguised as regulatory concern.

Why Transport Canada Has the Right to Take Its Time

Under global aviation regulations, the country where an aircraft is designed—the United States in the case of Gulfstream—is responsible for primary certification, known as a type certificate. This certification ensures that the aircraft’s design is safe. Other countries then validate this decision, allowing the aircraft to fly in their airspace. However, they have the right to refuse certification or request additional data. Following the Boeing 737 MAX crisis in 2018–2019, in which two planes crashed, killing 346 people—including 18 Canadians—several regulators outside the United States delayed approval of certain U.S. certification decisions and, in some cases, required additional design modifications. John Gradek, a professor of aviation management at McGill University, described Transport Canada’s certification process as “exemplary” and “world-class.” “It’s not illegal for Transport Canada to take its time,” he told CBC News.

And he’s right, Gradek. Absolutely right. After the 737 MAX disaster, after seeing how the FAA let Boeing self-certify and how that ended in tragedy, can we really blame Transport Canada for being cautious? For demanding additional data? For not just blindly rubber-stamping whatever the Americans approve? This is our sovereignty, our responsibility to the Canadians who fly on these planes. And Trump wants us to throw all that away just to please General Dynamics?

A Quebec Company That Refuses to Die

This isn’t the first time Trump has targeted Bombardier. During his first term, the U.S. Department of Commerce imposed tariffs of nearly 300% on Bombardier’s C-Series aircraft. These tariffs were ultimately rescinded in 2018 after the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that 100- to 150-seat aircraft from Canada did not cause injury to the U.S. industry. Bombardier has since sold that program to Airbus, which now produces the A220 in Mirabel, Quebec, and Mobile, Alabama. Today, Bombardier focuses on business jets, a market where it excels with its Global series. The Montreal-based company stated in a press release that it was in contact with the Canadian government and hoped the situation would be resolved quickly. “Thousands of private and commercial jets built in Canada fly to the United States every day,” the company emphasized.

Bombardier. This company has weathered it all: financial crises, painful restructurings, trade attacks, and relentless criticism. And it’s still here, standing strong, producing some of the best business jets in the world. The Global 8000, certified in December by the FAA, is the fastest civilian aircraft since the Concorde, with a top speed of Mach 0.95. That’s world-class engineering. And Trump wants to destroy that because Canada isn’t bowing to his whims fast enough?

When Politics Threatens Aviation Safety

If Trump were actually to decertify Canadian aircraft—which remains legally unclear since the FAA can only decertify aircraft for safety reasons, not economic ones—the consequences would be catastrophic. According to Cirium data, there are 150 Global Express jets in service registered in the United States, operated by 115 operators. In total, more than 5,425 aircraft of various types manufactured in Canada are registered in the United States, including airliners, regional jets, and helicopters. Airlines such as Delta and American Airlines use Bombardier aircraft in their fleets. John Gradek said he was “stunned” by Trump’s threat. “Decertifying all aircraft built in Canada would have a significant impact on the U.S. aviation market, and Americans would likely be very unhappy about such a decertification,” he said.

Can you imagine the chaos? Thousands of planes grounded overnight. Flights canceled. Passengers stranded. Businesses paralyzed. And for what? For a trade dispute disguised as a regulatory concern. Richard Aboulafia, CEO of an aerospace consulting firm, put it plainly: “Mixing safety issues with politics and grievances is an incredibly bad idea.” And he’s right. It’s dangerous. It’s irresponsible. It’s pure Trump.

Ottawa is trying to defuse the situation without giving in

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly responded quickly to Trump’s threats. In an interview with LCN on January 31, she stated that the government was in contact with Bombardier CEO Éric Martel and that she believed the situation could be resolved. “Aircraft certification should be an apolitical process,” she said. “When the president reacts, tweets, or says something, we always take note. We read, we listen, and we don’t panic.” Joly also emphasized that the certification work was “well underway” and that the government would continue to fight for every job at Bombardier and in the aerospace sector. Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet issued a statement expressing his concern. “This threat undermines economic stability and the entire continental air transport network under false pretenses, potentially jeopardizing its safety,” he wrote.

Joly is right not to panic. But at the same time, we can’t just cross our fingers and hope that Trump will calm down. Because he won’t. He never backs down. He always doubles down. And in the meantime, thousands of jobs are at stake. Families depend on Bombardier. Entire communities in Quebec rely on this industry for their livelihoods. We can’t afford to lose that.

When Protectionism Destroys What Works

The North American aerospace industry is deeply integrated. Bombardier employs between 2,500 and 3,000 people in the United States, with facilities in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Wichita, Kansas, where the company is expanding its defense division. The company also has 2,800 U.S. suppliers that create thousands of jobs. For its part, Gulfstream has operations in Canada. This cross-border integration has enabled both countries to build a globally competitive industry. But Trump’s threats are putting all of this at risk. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents more than 600,000 workers in North America, has stated that Trump’s threats would cause “serious disruption” in the sector and put thousands of jobs at risk on both sides of the border.

That’s what really gets to me about this whole situation. Trump claims to be defending American workers, but his threats will destroy American jobs. Because Bombardier employs Americans. Because the aerospace industry doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Because we’re integrated, interconnected, and interdependent. And when you start messing with that, everyone loses. Canadians lose. Americans lose. Only politicians looking to score political points win.

Can Trump Really Decertify Airplanes for Economic Reasons?

The big legal question remains: Does Trump actually have the power to decertify aircraft? Under existing regulations, the FAA can revoke certifications only for safety reasons, not for economic ones. But as several observers have pointed out, Trump has made similar statements in the past that were ultimately implemented—often with exemptions—by the relevant agencies. A White House official told Reuters that Trump was not suggesting that Canadian aircraft currently in operation be decertified. FAA officials are reported to have made similar statements. But uncertainty remains. And that uncertainty itself is toxic for the industry. Airlines need predictability. Manufacturers need stability. Investors need confidence. And Trump is destroying all of that with his impulsive tweets.

We live in a world where a president can threaten to ground thousands of planes with a single social media post. Where aviation safety becomes a bargaining chip in trade negotiations. Where international rules that took decades to build can be swept aside with a wave of the hand. It’s terrifying. Truly terrifying. Because if Trump can do this to the aviation industry, what’s to stop him from doing the same to other sectors? To the auto industry? To the energy sector? To agriculture? Where does it end?

Our sovereignty is not for sale

This aviation crisis is just another episode in the trade war Trump is waging against Canada. But it may be one of the most dangerous, because it touches on aviation safety—an area where politics should never interfere. Canada has the right—and the duty—to take the time necessary to certify foreign aircraft. Transport Canada demonstrated after the 737 MAX crisis that it would no longer blindly approve the FAA’s decisions. That’s a good thing. It’s our responsibility to Canadians. Bombardier, for its part, continues to produce world-class aircraft despite repeated attacks. The company employs more than 10,000 people in Quebec and makes a significant contribution to the Canadian economy. The government must continue to support it while defending the integrity of the certification process. Faced with Trump’s threats and the FAA’s backing, Canada cannot give in. Because giving in now would open the door to further blackmail, further threats, and further attacks on our economic sovereignty.

I know it’s easy to say “let’s stand firm” when you’re not the one at risk of losing your job. I know that Bombardier workers must be terrified right now. I know that the families who depend on this industry are wondering what will happen to them. But giving in to Trump’s blackmail won’t protect them. It will only encourage him to come back with new demands, new threats, and new ultimatums. Canada must stand firm. Not out of pride. Not out of stubbornness. But because it’s the only way to preserve our sovereignty, our integrity, and our economic future. And if that means standing up to Trump and the FAA, then let’s stand up to them. Because some battles are worth fighting, even when they’re difficult. Especially when they’re difficult.

Signed, Jacques Provost