Windsor’s Electric Renaissance: A Beacon of Change and Progress
In the heart of Canada’s automotive region, Windsor, Ontario, is undergoing a transformative evolution spurred by the global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). This shift is not only redefining the region’s industrial identity but also reshaping the community and fostering a culture of innovation and growth.
Windsor boasts a rich automotive history that is deeply entrenched in the roots of the city. Canada’s first automotive factory was built in Windsor in 1904. Established by the Ford Motor Company, the facility manufactured the iconic Ford Model C. This milestone marked the beginning of a legacy that continues to shape the region’s identity as the cradle of automotive progress in Canada. Today, the automotive sector contributes $16 billion to Canadian GDP, employing over 500,000 workers. It is evident the seeds of automotive innovation that sprouted in Windsor have continued to grow.
On our recent Action Canada visit to Windsor, we had the great fortune of touring the Stellantis Chrysler plant. The plant is undergoing a monumental transformation to align with the electric vehicle revolution. Retooling enables the facility to better electrify the Chrysler Pacifica and support the electrification of the next generation of Dodge muscle cars. The efforts to retool we witnessed during our tour is indicative of the region’s commitment to staying at the forefront of automotive manufacturing. The potential fruits of this $1.89 billion investment? An estimated at 4,700 secured or new jobs by 2025.
However, transformations are not simply the result of introducing new technologies: they are led by people. The role of unions such as Unifor cannot be overstated in this transformative electric journey. Unifor has been a stalwart advocate for the workforce, ensuring that the transition to electric vehicles is not only seamless but also equitable. Through negotiated agreements and collaborative efforts with industry leaders, Unifor has played a key role in safeguarding the livelihoods of workers throughout this transition. During our conversation with Marc Brennan, Vice-President of the Ford Council for Unifor 707, it became apparent that Unifor’s proactive approach and commitment to upskilling their workers exemplifies the crucial role unions play in fostering sustainable and inclusive economic development.
Beyond the factory walls, you will quickly find the right elements that foster a strong regional innovation ecosystem. Local post-secondary institutions have programs that grow the talent pipeline, training engineers, technicians, and businesspeople to work within the automotive sector; while additionally producing cutting edge research in facilities like University of Windsor’s CHARGE Lab. Organizations like Invest Windsor-Essex are a pivotal player attracting foreign direct investment related to electric vehicles. The region has quickly become a magnet for global automotive giants keen on participating in the electric vehicle wave. Notable examples include the recent announcement that the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Windsor would support a $5 billion dollar joint venture between Stellantis and LG Energy Solution to establish a battery manufacturing plant in the region. The plant is expected to create over 2,500 direct high paying jobs and over 10,000 indirect jobs.
Windsor’s journey towards becoming a hub for electric vehicle production is not just about embracing a technological revolution; it is about revitalizing a community, fostering innovation, and securing a brighter future for all. The collaborative efforts of industry, unions, and community organizations have positioned Windsor as a beacon of change and progress that should inspire other regions to follow suit. As the electric vehicle revolution charges ahead, Windsor stands tall, a testament to the power of transformation, unity, and unwavering commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future.
Featured Fellow
- Melissa
- O'Rourke
2023/24 Fellow
Melissa is a community builder who is curious about people and passionate about sustainable development. Since 2019, Melissa has managed a series of collaborative innovation projects with a combined total value of $27 million (CAD). Melissa currently works at the Frank McKenna Institute for Digital Transformation in New Brunswick as a Strategic Program Director. Projects in her portfolio range from allocating funding for digital health research to building a public-private data trust.
Before joining the McKenna Institute, Melissa oversaw a portfolio of national ocean impact projects with Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and supported the growth of 40+ new ventures through the management of a business accelerator program. In 2017, she was a Global Accelerator Network Managing Director-in-Residence and spent three months working with ABC Accelerator in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Melissa holds a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Mount Allison University. During her undergraduate studies, Melissa served as President of the Mount Allison Students’ Union and lobbied all levels of government on issues facing Canada’s post-secondary students.
Melissa lives in her hometown of Saint John, New Brunswick with her partner and their cat. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys connecting with nature through gardening, camping, and trips to the beautiful beaches throughout Atlantic Canada.
Automobility & Innovation Center
Invest in Windsor is the regional economic development agency, which focuses on supporting the development of new technology.
Their services at the Windsor-Essex Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS) include cutting edge VR technology, which Fellows had the chance to experience.
McKenna Institute: The case for a New
Brunswick Data Trust
An Article by Melissa O’Rourke’23
A New Brunswick Data Trust would enable the wealth of data already being collected in silos to be used more productively and for greater public benefit.
