The title of Robert Benzies article in Friday's hard copy edition of The Globe and Mail contained a major blunde (see picture below). It should have stated "OAKVILLE" but "OSHAWA" was incorrectly inserted. It is an error that is very telling. It underscores the concern a lot of Oshawa and Durham residents should be raising, asking not only GM Canada President Scott Bell, Region Chair Henry, Unifor President Diaz, Oshawa Mayor and many others: Where is Oshawa in the Electric Vehicle Value Chain that Minister Vic Fideli has been speaking about this week?
"Building electric vehicles here in Ontario is a critical component in securing future investments across the electric vehicle value chain."
I posted the News Release from the Office of the Premier on a Facebook page Thursday and my own page today. But I am copying it again here because it is imo hugely important to bring attention to the fact that Oshawa and GM should staking out a key link in "THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE VALUE CHAIN" NOW!
Oshawa and the Region of Durham have Ontario Tech University's School of Automotive Excellence, the ACE Climate Wind Tunnel, the new Canadian Technical Centre McLaughlin Advance Technology Track, the economic infrastructure and the skilled workforce...where is the good news about NEW INVESTMENTS IN OSHAWA for the 'long-term future in auto manufacturing"?
Consider this week's news of the federal and provincial government's $1.8 Billion to retool Ford for battery electric vehicle production and the accompanying quote from Minister of Economic Development Vic Fedeli:
"Any region seeking a long-term future in auto manufacturing must be adding value at every stage of the supply chain, particularly in the two technologies shaping the next generation of vehicles: zero-emissions and connected and autonomous. Bolstered by strategic government partnerships, Ontario is now at the leading edge. This ongoing collaboration between industry, government and labour will be essential as we face the immense economic challenges of COVID-19 and build for the future."
The time is now for the Region of Durham Chair and municipal Mayors, the City of Oshawa and all other Durham local municipalities Economic Development heads, getting those conversations going with Minister Fedeli and Minister Philips and those Economic Restart Committee members too...get your signatures on a letter, get on the phone and get through so Durham is not left behind.
"Building electric vehicles here in Ontario is a critical component in securing future investments across the electric vehicle value chain."
I posted the News Release from the Office of the Premier on a Facebook page Thursday and my own page today. But I am copying it again here because it is imo hugely important to bring attention to the fact that Oshawa and GM should staking out a key link in "THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE VALUE CHAIN" NOW!
Oshawa and the Region of Durham have Ontario Tech University's School of Automotive Excellence, the ACE Climate Wind Tunnel, the new Canadian Technical Centre McLaughlin Advance Technology Track, the economic infrastructure and the skilled workforce...where is the good news about NEW INVESTMENTS IN OSHAWA for the 'long-term future in auto manufacturing"?
Consider this week's news of the federal and provincial government's $1.8 Billion to retool Ford for battery electric vehicle production and the accompanying quote from Minister of Economic Development Vic Fedeli:
"Any region seeking a long-term future in auto manufacturing must be adding value at every stage of the supply chain, particularly in the two technologies shaping the next generation of vehicles: zero-emissions and connected and autonomous. Bolstered by strategic government partnerships, Ontario is now at the leading edge. This ongoing collaboration between industry, government and labour will be essential as we face the immense economic challenges of COVID-19 and build for the future."
The time is now for the Region of Durham Chair and municipal Mayors, the City of Oshawa and all other Durham local municipalities Economic Development heads, getting those conversations going with Minister Fedeli and Minister Philips and those Economic Restart Committee members too...get your signatures on a letter, get on the phone and get through so Durham is not left behind.
