Today, members of the Ontario Auto Mayors Caucus met in Brampton’s Fire Station 203 for the first in-person meeting of the municipal advocacy group since 2019. Chaired by Town of Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and hosted by City of Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, the group included representatives from 32 Ontario municipalities, Ontario’s OEMs, and automotive industry associations. “The future of the automotive landscape is being forged in Ontario,” said Mayor Rob Burton, Chair of the Ontario Auto Mayors. “Major investments made by industry in partnership with the Federal and Provincial governments are transforming the sector, and the Auto Mayors remain committed to working hand-in-hand with industry to support this exciting transformation.”
TORONTO — The Ontario government has concluded a successful business mission to Germany and Switzerland to attract investments and strengthen relationships with economic partners in the auto sector. As part of the mission, a delegation of Ontario organizations promoted the province’s auto supply chain and innovations at IAA Mobility, the world’s largest event for the mobility industry, which includes the auto and transportation sectors.
“We’re showcasing Ontario’s growing auto supply chain on a global stage and continuing to promote the province to companies around the world,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Missions like this have helped Ontario attract over $25 billion in transformative auto and EV battery investments from global automakers, parts suppliers, and electric vehicle battery and materials manufacturers over the last three years.”
WHITBY — The Region of Durham’s Economic Development and Tourism division (Invest Durham)—in partnership with Durham College, Ontario Tech University, Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), and Durham Regional Technology Development Site (Durham RTDS)—are empowering the transition to Electric Vehicles (EV) through collaboration. Located on the east side of the Greater Toronto Area, Durham Region offers a competitive business environment that links the future of energy with advanced automotive. With the recent major investment and funding announcements into Ontario’s EV supply chain, there are exciting and immediate opportunities for business growth, innovation and collaboration in Durham Region.
MARKHAM — The Province of Ontario has awarded the cities of Markham and Vaughan $2.5 million in funding to develop two automotive technology and smart mobility Demonstration Zones that will provide opportunities for companies to test, pilot and showcase their products in a real-world environment. The funding is part of the Province’s $56.4 million commitment, over four years, to support the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN). OVIN focuses on maximizing investments and impact across Ontario’s entire automotive value chain, including a shift towards smart and clean technologies.
INGERSOLL — GM announced today that CAMI Assembly will begin building battery modules in the second quarter of 2024, supporting the company’s increasing EV production volume. The new 400,000 square-foot facility will assemble modules for BrightDrop Zevo production at CAMI as well as additional Ultium EVs built at other GM plants. The project will support nearly 300 CAMI Assembly jobs. “Our CAMI plant is playing a critical role in accelerating GM’s all-electric future,” said Marissa West, president and managing director, GM Canada. “In addition to being Canada’s first large-scale EV manufacturing plant, soon the team will add EV battery module assembly to the site, demonstrating innovation, flexibility, and opportunity during this historic time of transformation in the industry. To support GM’s EV transformation, the company is installing more battery module capacity to its other North American EV plants.
OTTAWA — Ontario and Michigan are building on their longstanding economic relationship through a new partnership that will increase trade, attract investment and encourage job creation in both jurisdictions. The new Economic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will support joint initiatives in priority areas, such as electric vehicles and related supply chains. These initiatives could include joint trade promotion and missions, new post-secondary exchange programs, and efforts to identify opportunities for strategic partnerships that will help businesses compete internationally. The agreement was signed today by Premier Doug Ford and Governor Gretchen Whitmer during a virtual ceremony. They were joined by Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
GUELPH — The University of Guelph’s Centre for Advancing Responsible and Ethical Artificial Intelligence (CARE-AI) will launch a new micro-learning platform for high school and post-secondary students to spark interest in AI and machine learning in the automotive and mobility sectors. The new program, expected to drive interest in future careers in the automotive and mobility industry, received provincial funding on May 30 as part of the Regional Future Workforce (RFW) program and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) at the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI).
TORONTO — Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and the Honourable Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, issued the following joint statement: “The governments of Canada and Ontario are partnering to attract once-in-a-generation projects that will anchor our auto manufacturing sector and keep good jobs in Canada. “We already have fought for and secured the new NAFTA, which protected our auto sector, and fought for and secured a carve-in for Canada in the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) electric vehicle incentives. “Today, our governments are pleased to announce that we have finalized an agreement with Stellantis-LG Energy Solutions (LGES) to create and secure thousands of good-paying auto jobs and tens of thousands of indirect jobs across Canada. As part of the agreement, Canada and Ontario will provide performance incentives to Stellantis-LGES of up to $15 billion, subject to conditions and benefits to Canada and Ontario. “The agreement between our governments also extends to the project by Volkswagen Group and its subsidiary PowerCo SE to establish Volkswagen’s first overseas electric vehicle battery cell manufacturing plant in St. Thomas, Ontario. Volkswagen could receive up to $13 billion in performance incentives.
BRANTFORD — The Ontario government is welcoming a $102.3 million investment by Mitsui High-tec (Canada), Inc. a manufacturer of motor cores, the basic structure of the motor used in electric vehicles (EVs). This investment, to expand the company’s Canadian operations, will create 104 highly skilled, good-paying jobs, while helping to build Ontario’s EV supply chain. “Mitsui High-tec (Canada), Inc.’s investment to expand its Brantford-based facilities is a huge boost not only for the people of southwestern Ontario, but for our province’s growing manufacturing and auto sectors,” said Premier Doug Ford. “With great partners, we’re building an electric vehicle and battery supply chain and making Ontario an auto-manufacturing powerhouse once again.”
TORONTO – The Ontario government is making it more convenient for electric vehicle (EV) owners to travel the province with EV fast chargers now installed at all 20 renovated ONroute stations along the province’s busiest highways, the 400 and 401. “Our government is putting shovels in the ground to build critical infrastructure that will support Ontario’s growing EV manufacturing industry” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “With EV fast chargers now available at all 20 renovated ONroute stations along our province’s busiest highways it will be more convenient than ever this summer for workers and families to grab a coffee or a meal while charging their electric vehicle.”
MARKHAM – The Ontario government is investing nearly $6 million to support 14 innovative projects to connect the next generation of workers to the province’s growing auto sector. These projects, part of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network’s Regional Future Workforce (RFW) program, will introduce students to opportunities in the auto sector and help them develop the skills they need to secure good-paying jobs after graduation. “As we continue to grow Ontario’s auto supply chain, it’s important that we empower students and connect them with exciting opportunities in the sector,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “We’re attracting billions of dollars worth of investment from companies worldwide that will create thousands of new jobs.”
LONDON — The Ontario government is investing more than $4.7 million to support two innovative projects to help over 360 people land full-time jobs in the province’s growing automotive manufacturing sector. These free programs will provide participants with skills for rewarding careers in machine operation, assembly, quality control, and logistics while also preparing automotive technicians and those interested in the industry for work in the emerging electric vehicle field.
OAKVILLE - Ford Motor Company is investing C$1.8 billion in its Oakville Assembly Complex to transform it into a high-volume hub of electric vehicle manufacturing in Canada – a key part of the company’s plan to scale production of electric vehicles and make them more accessible to millions of customers. The campus, to be renamed Oakville Electric Vehicle Complex, will begin to retool and modernize in the second quarter of 2024 to prepare for production of next-generation EVs. This marks the first time a full-line automaker has announced plans to produce passenger EVs in Canada for the North American market.
The Ontario government has announced Volkswagen's first electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing plant will be built in St. Thomas, in the area of Talbot Line and Yarmouth Centre Road, near the city's airport. The announcement, released Monday by the office of Vic Fedeli, the province's minister of economic development and trade, is the first public confirmation of the deal that has long been rumoured to be in the works.