Electric vehicle battery plant set for Windsor, Ont., signals Canada is a 'player' in auto industry's future

A planned $4.9-billion electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor, Ont., that is anticipated will help the city reclaim its position as Canada's automotive capital promises to be a significant economic generator and create thousands of new jobs.

"This is massive news, not just for the Canadian auto industry. This is huge for Windsor, the Canadian economy and Canadian jobs," said Brian Kingston, chief executive officer of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association. 

"We know the auto industry is going through a significant transformation to electrification right now and for Canada to secure an investment of this size and scale into battery manufacturing ... indicates that we are a player in this transition." 

On Wednesday, South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution and European automaker Stellantis, alongside all three levels of government, announced the "largest automotive investment" in the province and country, which will bring the first lithium-ion electric vehicle (EV) battery plant to Canada. It's set to be operational in 2024.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the plant "game changing" and said it puts the province at the "forefront of the EV revolution."  

Ford would not divulge the amount of taxpayer money that will be spent on the factory, adding "it would compromise some negotiations moving forward with other companies as well, but it's a massive investment and it's hundreds of millions of dollars."

According to Stellantis and LG, the plant is anticipated to create 2,500 new jobs and supply batteries to Stellantis plants across North America, and is one of two that the companies are building. 

The news is being welcomed by many in Windsor's auto sector, which has seen significant job losses in recent years. 

Justin Falconer, CEO of Workforce Windsor-Essex, said on top of the 2,500 jobs at the plant, he anticipates "up to 10,000" spin-off jobs. 

Charging stations, supply chain partners for electronic components, moulds for the batteries, research and development and transportation for the batteries are just a handful of areas that Falconer said could see job growth. 

Based on this, Falconer said, post-secondary institutions will likely look to offer new education and training programs on electric vehicles. 

Combined, he said, there's already about eight programs related to the EV field at local institutions, but he said they may look to increase the number of credential programs or add rapid training ones that will "upscale or improve a job applicant's qualifications." 

"I expect this to be a very highly sophisticated and technological plant with robotics and engineering," he said. 

"We'll see what the standards are that LG is going to be hiring to, and we'll obviously be working with to ensure that they have access to the skilled workers that they're going to need to employ at this plant."