North to supply minerals for EV manufacturing in southern Ontario, minister says
At the same time a major electric vehicle announcement was being made in southern Ontario on Thursday, a federal minister was in northern Ontario hyping his government’s spending in the same sector.
Ahmed Hussen, Minister for International Development, was in the city continuing his northern tour, highlighting the 2024 federal budget.
This time he was speaking about incentives for those purchasing electric vehicles.
“The $607 million top-up to the incentive program is certainly going to encourage more people to consider electric vehicle acquisition and continuing down that road,” Hussen said.
“We need a cleaner environment and we owe it to this and future generations and that’s exactly what we’re doing to make that happen.”
Reducing emissions in the long term was key for future generations, he said. Hussen was joined at the podium by Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré and a half dozen Sudbury high school students.
Both federal politicians said northern Ontario will play a key role in manufacturing plans for the electric vehicle market.
“Greater Sudbury is a big part of that need,” Serré said.
“To make sure that we have the copper, the nickel, the lithium from northwestern Ontario. So we wanted to make sure we highlight a lot of those initiatives because these manufacturing batteries and EV vehicles in southern Ontario need to be fed by the mines and the supply and services companies here.”
Devin Arthur, an electric vehicle advocate from Sudbury and the director of government relations for EV Society, said there are still gaps, particularly in parts of northern Ontario.
Arthur said money needs to get into the hands of those who want to build charging stations, but it’s hard to make a case for getting charging stations in certain areas.
“Some of these businesses come back with: what’s the benefit to us? Do we really want this? Is this the technology that’s going to be used in the future?” Arthur said.
“But the reality is the money is there, we just need to get it into the hands of those who want to install the stations.”
The 2022 federal budget committed almost $4 billion for a critical mineral strategy, which it said set a course for Canada to become a global supplier of critical minerals and the clean technologies they enable.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.