Canada Gov. supports EV sector in Windsor-Essex

MEDIA RELEASE via Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

Windsor, Ontario, July 19, 2023 — The automotive industry in Ontario is a pillar of Canada’s economy and provides thousands of jobs for workers and their families. As we move toward more sustainable solutions, southern Ontario has emerged as a prominent hub for automotive manufacturing and innovation, specifically in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting our manufacturers as they adopt more sustainable processes and technologies, increase their production capabilities, and create good jobs for Canadians.

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for Windsor-Tecumseh, announced a $200,000-investment for Invest WindsorEssex (IWE) to support the long-term growth of the EV sector in the Windsor-Essex region.

Windsor-Essex and its surrounding communities are at the forefront of this exciting new chapter for southern Ontario’s automotive sector. The shift towards EV and battery manufacturing is opening up many new opportunities for existing suppliers in the region to meet the demand for parts and technologies that are essential for the production of EVs. It is also demonstrating to foreign businesses that southern Ontario and our strong workforce is the best destination to support the expansion of the automotive industry.

With this investment, IWE will help prepare 120 southern Ontario businesses to participate in the growing EV market. They will do this by identifying and preparing for new supply chain opportunities and building their workforces. IWE will develop and deliver at least eight new training workshops over the next two years. This support will help to ensure that Canadian companies have the talent they need to build their workforces and have the opportunity to contribute to this growing and important sector. This investment is about building an end-to-end Canadian supply chain that helps Canadian workers, businesses and manufacturers remain competitive and successful in the automotive industry.

This investment builds on the $7.5-million FedDev Ontario investment announced in May 2021 and a $5-million investment announced in 2019 for IWE to establish Canada’s first world-class automobility accelerator, which has been bringing together stakeholders in the region to support the development of secure, zero emission vehicles technology.

Today’s announcement supports the innovation and modernization of our manufacturing sector, which will help grow our economy, create good jobs, and fight climate change. The Government of Canada is investing in people across Windsor-Essex that have the potential to turn these endless possibilities into reality. We are committed to making your lives easier, your jobs better, and your communities stronger.