How can you defend the indefensible? 

Bad enough that the company is so mismanaged (late delivery, questionable quality) that government bailouts are required -- but to finance pay hikes with taxpayer dollars is the worst kind of corporate welfare.

The sad part is this isn't the first time.  After the sub-prime mortgage meltdown, Goldman Sachs and many others paid out millions in bonuses.

Executive pay must be scaled back, and must be commensurate with performance.  Incompetence cannot be rewarded by generous pay hikes and bonuses, particularly when real wage growth for workers is flat. This is especially true for a company like Bombardier, who rewards government largesse by moving jobs offshore.