"At La Pocatiere, we're used to layoffs, because our contracts are cyclical. We hire people, then they're laid-off, it's always deplorable," Michaud said. Before the layoffs, 420 people worked at the factory north-east of Quebec City. By the end of the year, it's expected to have around 100 employees. The Alstom $56 million last month to modernize the factory. That money won't have to be paid back if the factory employs 400 people in 2026 and 350 people between 2026 and 2028. The loan is intended to help the plant, which Alstom acquired in January when it purchased Bombardier's rail division, attract new contracts. Michaud said he recently spoke with