Now that the US$800-billion stimulus package has been passed by Congress, New Flyer and the regional economy in Minnesota (not to mention Manitoba) will stand to benefit from the US$7 billion designated for public transit systems.

(To comply with the Buy America regulations, 60 per cent of components must be made in the U.S. along with 100 per cent of final assembly for U.S. public transit authorities to receive U.S. funds for new buses.)

The U.S. economy has lost 2.2 million jobs in the last four months, so it is not surprising that the White House would not worry too much that a large U.S. employer is actually a Canadian company.