June 13th Weekly Update

Ontario Expands Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The Ontario government is making it more convenient for electric vehicle (EV) owners to travel the province with EV fast chargers now installed at all 20 renovated ONroute stations along the province’s busiest highways, the 400 and 401.

The new fast charging stations are part of a historic EV charger roll-out announced in December 2021 by the Ontario government, Ivy Charging Network, ONroute, Canadian Tire and Natural Resources Canada. All stations are now equipped with at least two EV chargers at each site, with busier areas equipped with more. The chargers are available to all drivers on a pay-per-use basis and serve all vehicle types.

“With a total of 20 ONroute stations now equipped with EV fast chargers, our government continues to make life easier for those who drive electric vehicles,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “With more people switching to electric vehicles each year, we’re preparing for the future now by rapidly building the infrastructure needed to support a cleaner, greener, more accessible Ontario for zero-emission vehicle drivers.”

These initiatives build on the government’s Driving Prosperity: The Future of Ontario’s Automotive Sector plan to create a domestic EV battery ecosystem in the province and position Ontario as a North American automotive innovation hub, by working to support the continued pivot to electric, low-carbon, connected and autonomous vehicles.

The RFW program aims to bridge the gap between students, of all ages, and the auto industry, while also focusing on reducing the stigma associated with careers in the skilled trades.

Non-profit organizations, school boards and post-secondary institutions will receive up to $500,000 each to lead eight-month-long automotive-focused programs to at least 500 students. Each program is designed to address the unique needs of the region and the ages of the students. Programs can range from play-based learning for young children, to manufacturing, robotics, and mining workshops for older students.

The 14 projects will be led by:

• Actua
• Georgian College
• K2i Academy, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
• Lambton College
• Laurentian University
• Mathstronauts
• Mohawk College, Marshall School of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship
• Ontario Council for Technology Education
• Ontario Tech University
• St. Clair College
• University of Guelph
• University of Ottawa, Kanata North
• University of Toronto, Scarborough
• University of Waterloo

“Careers in Ontario’s auto sector offer life-changing opportunities, with good pay, pensions and benefits,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government will continue to invest in innovative projects that help workers and jobseekers get the skills they need to land better jobs with bigger paycheques in the auto industry.”

Over the last two and a half years, Ontario has attracted over $25 billion in automotive and electric vehicle battery related investments, including a $7 billion investment from Volkswagen to build their first overseas EV battery manufacturing facility in St. Thomas.

The Ontario government is investing $23.6 million to develop a province-wide strategy that includes identifying and plugging old oil and gas wells to keep communities safe. An additional $2.5 million will be allocated to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent to assist with costs associated with emergency management from the 2021 explosion in the community of Wheatley.

“This investment represents the first step in our government’s action plan to address the challenges and risks old oil and gas wells pose to communities across Ontario,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “With this funding, Chatham-Kent and other affected municipalities will be able to help keep their communities safe and prevent petroleum-related emergencies in the future.”

The $23.6 million will be used to develop an oil and gas action plan to help address the risks of old wells and conduct science and research to better understand the risks that old oil and gas wells pose. The funding includes:

• $7.5 million over three years to directly support municipalities in their efforts to reduce risks and enhance emergency preparedness within their communities. Eligible municipalities will be invited to apply for funding for these activities in the coming weeks.
• Doubling of the existing Abandoned Works Program over three years to $6 million to support the plugging of old oil and gas wells.

An additional $2.5 million will go directly to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent to help with ongoing emergency management costs associated with the Wheatley explosion. To date, Ontario has invested over $25 million to support the investigation, recovery and monitoring activities in Chatham-Kent, as well as support for eligible businesses and residents who were evacuated from their homes.

The provincial action plan will continue to be guided by ongoing engagement and feedback from industry, municipalities, Indigenous partners, other key stakeholders, and the public.