Despite half a billion dollars in subsidies from the Canadian and Ontario governments, Ford is pushing startup of EV production at its Oakville, ON plant back by two years, impacting 2,700 workers.The Big Three American automaker said Thursday some employees will remain onsite but there would be layoffs.Ford had previously committed to spending $1.8 billion to transform the Oakville assembly plant into a hub for EV manufacturing including vehicle and battery pack assembly. In a statement, Ford said it would continue to convert the plant as planned starting in the second quarter of this year, but the launch of new ‘three row’ EVs at the plant won’t happen until 2027..“We value our Canadian teammates and appreciate that this delay will have an impact on this excellent team,”Ford president and CEO Jim Farley .The delay is to give “the consumer market more time to develop” the company said, while allowing for further development of EV battery technology.The Oakville site includes three body shops, one paint building and one assembly building.The company’s spending plans were first announced in 2020 as part of union negotiations, with workers seeking long-term production commitments. The federal and Ontario governments each chipped in $295 million to secure the investment.“We value our Canadian teammates and appreciate that this delay will have an impact on this excellent team,” Ford President and CEO Jim Farley said in a statement.The union wasn’t happy with the news.“Unifor is extremely disappointed by the company’s decision. Our members have done nothing but build best-in-class vehicles for Ford Motor Company and they deserve certainty in the company’s future production plans,” said Unifor national President Lana Payne.“I want to be very clear here. Our members can be assured that we will push the company to explore every single possible opportunity to lessen the impact of this decision on them and their families.”.This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
Despite half a billion dollars in subsidies from the Canadian and Ontario governments, Ford is pushing startup of EV production at its Oakville, ON plant back by two years, impacting 2,700 workers.The Big Three American automaker said Thursday some employees will remain onsite but there would be layoffs.Ford had previously committed to spending $1.8 billion to transform the Oakville assembly plant into a hub for EV manufacturing including vehicle and battery pack assembly. In a statement, Ford said it would continue to convert the plant as planned starting in the second quarter of this year, but the launch of new ‘three row’ EVs at the plant won’t happen until 2027..“We value our Canadian teammates and appreciate that this delay will have an impact on this excellent team,”Ford president and CEO Jim Farley .The delay is to give “the consumer market more time to develop” the company said, while allowing for further development of EV battery technology.The Oakville site includes three body shops, one paint building and one assembly building.The company’s spending plans were first announced in 2020 as part of union negotiations, with workers seeking long-term production commitments. The federal and Ontario governments each chipped in $295 million to secure the investment.“We value our Canadian teammates and appreciate that this delay will have an impact on this excellent team,” Ford President and CEO Jim Farley said in a statement.The union wasn’t happy with the news.“Unifor is extremely disappointed by the company’s decision. Our members have done nothing but build best-in-class vehicles for Ford Motor Company and they deserve certainty in the company’s future production plans,” said Unifor national President Lana Payne.“I want to be very clear here. Our members can be assured that we will push the company to explore every single possible opportunity to lessen the impact of this decision on them and their families.”.This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
