Honda unveils $15B investment plan to build new EV plant in Alliston
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford visited Alliston on Thursday to unveil a $15 billion investment in an electric vehicle and battery facility.
"This is a historic day with the largest auto investment in Canada's history," said Justin Trudeau. "We will be investing to create Canada's first comprehensive electric vehicle supply chain from start to finish."
The $15 billion project includes a retooled plant, an electric vehicle battery plant nearby, and two critical battery parts facilities spread throughout the province.
Honda could participate in a recent federal government proposal in the budget to include a 10 per cent Electric Vehicle Supply Chain investment tax credit on top of an existing 30 per cent Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment tax credit.
Premier Doug Ford called the announcement a game-changer.
"Once built and operational, Honda's massive new electric vehicle plant and battery facility here in Alliston will employ more than 4,200 people," said Ford.
According to the premier, the facility will generate around 30,000 additional jobs in the industry, as Honda pledges to have 100 per cent electric vehicle sales in North America within 16 years.
"Here in Canada, we are very pleased to begin a new discussion toward achieving this major electrification milestone, which builds on our ongoing projects in the U.S.," said Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe.
New Tecumseth mayor Richard Norcross says the deal will help grow Alliston's population, which is expected to double to around 90,000 residents in the next 25 years.
The Honda facility will be Ontario's third electric vehicle battery plant, following Volkswagen in St. Thomas and a Stellantis LG plant in Windsor.
"We did make a commitment to build 6,400 more homes locally here in New Tecumseth to help support the workers that'll be coming for the jobs that are definitely coming," said New Tecumseth mayor Richard Norcross.
"This is huge for Simcoe County; it's huge for the province. This is what happens when all three levels of governments work together with an outstanding corporation like the Honda company, and they're second to none."
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The federal Conservative Cabinet criticizes the deal, saying it gives $5 billion in subsidies to another large multinational corporation and accuses the Prime Minister of selling out Canadian union workers and taxpayers.
Honda intends to start operating the EV plant by 2028: if all goes according to plan they can produce upwards of a million vehicles in the first four years.
With files by CP.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.