Canada’s automotive sector is a major economic driver, supporting nearly 500,000 Canadian jobs and constantly striving for the development and adoption of cleaner and more affordable modes of transportation. As part of this effort, the federal government is taking steps to support automakers’ transition to a low-carbon future by investing in clean technology research, helping Canadians make greener choices when purchasing new vehicles, and supporting Canadian companies that are developing innovative technologies for the next generation of automobiles.
On April 4th, 2022, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced that the Government of Canada will provide General Motors of Canada Company (GM) with $259 million in financial assistance. This investment is expected to create thousands of jobs at GM facilities across Canada while stimulating the country’s automobile industry toward a leadership position in the global production of electric vehicles.
“This is proof that Canada’s auto sector is here for the long term. What today’s announcement means for Canadians is more jobs, more clean vehicles and more economic growth. GM’s continued commitment to its facilities in Canada, and its decision to set up the country’s first electric vehicle production facility, highlight how Canada is a world leader in building the vehicles of the future,” he claimed.
Some of GM’s plans include:
- Introducing 30 new electric vehicles by 2025
- Eliminating tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035
- Becoming carbon neutral in its global products and operations by 2040
- Expanding partnerships with academic institutions across Canada for co-op and job opportunities for students
“In Oshawa, Ingersoll, and communities across Ontario, auto manufacturers are stepping up to meet demand for clean vehicles and creating thousands of good jobs in the process. Today’s investment is an investment in our workers, our communities, and our future. Partnerships like these are critical to putting Canada on the cutting edge of the clean economy, creating thousands of new jobs, and making sure that future generations have a clean environment to live in,” said The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.
GM is also investing more than $2 billion to resume production at their Oshawa Assembly Plant and revamp the CAMI Assembly Plant in Ingersoll, Ontario to become the first full-scale commercial electric vehicle facility in Canada. By the end of 2022, the CAMI plant will exclusively build electric light-duty commercial vehicles, such as GM’s upcoming first electric commercial vehicle, the EV600 with BrightDrop technology. This will support the decarbonization of transportation emissions in light commercial vehicles in Canada and promote this trend internationally.
