It is not a question of being "western" enough Hong Kong is an integral part of the PRC and Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO) is subject to PRC government influence and control. Swire is a PRC corporation.

South Korea, Taiwan and Japan produce many products that are used in information sensitive and high security environments. These countries have never been implicated in hacking government of Canada websites, or spying on Canadian national security sensitive industries. They also do not hold Canadians captive for political reasons. Air Canada in effect has contracted out to China. The AC BOD should be lambasted for that decision and the way in which it was kept quiet.

In respect to claims that Canadian workers are lazy or drunk or incompetent, this is neither fair nor accurate. Canada has an excellent air and space worker base. Skilled Canadian aeronautical workers have been furloughed and laid off over the past 5 years because of the lack of work. Paying workers an equitable wage is not an unreasonable request.