Ford deal shows how Canada can rebuild green

A lot of Canadians must wonder exactly what Justin Trudeau means when he enthuses about a postpandemic green rebuild for Canada.

They need look no further than the timely deal announced last week between Ford Motor Co. of Canada and both the federal and Ontario governments. With $500 million in backing from those two governments, the giant automaker has agreed to invest $1.8 billion in its Oakville plant to build five electric vehicle models and, as well, assemble automotive batteries there.

At a time when this recession-bound country is struggling to create new jobs, as well as preserve the ones it has, including in its auto sector, this is fantastic news.

What makes this deal even sweeter, however, is that it offers a promising and realistic way for Canada to move forward with the daunting task of cutting its fossil fuel emissions and honouring decades of promises to fight climate change.

This could herald the beginning of an electric vehicle industry in this country, one that includes manufacturers and suppliers. So if it sounds like we’re celebrating, that only seems warranted. If everything goes as planned — and the Oakville plant will need years of retooling — the first electric vehicles will start rolling off the line in 2025. That means guaranteed jobs at a time when we urgently need them.

Prior to last week’s announcement, there were widespread fears that by 2023, Ford Canada would wind down production of the Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus SUV at its Oakville plant, imperilling the future of the facility and its 4,250 unionized employees. Those doubts will be somewhat allayed, although it unfortunately appears some jobs will eventually be lost in Oakville.

Of course, this is bigger than a single plant. Ontario auto parts makers will be called on to supply it. And there’s nickel from Sudbury, cobalt from Northern Ontario, lithium from Quebec and aluminum from Quebec and British Columbia that can go into the batteries made in Oakville.

Critics of the deal point out that while many Canadian consumers talk about buying an electric vehicle, few actually do. The skeptics also argue that China is years ahead of Canada both in building electric vehicles and making the batteries that power them.

We’d still argue this is a reasonable and calculated risk on the part of Prime Minister Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. As more electric vehicle models are produced in Canada and as more recharging infrastructure is put in place, their cost should fall and demand for them increase.

And after the way China has persistently mistreated this country — holding two Canadians as political hostages and slapping tariffs on Canadian products — we’d be foolish to increase our dependence on that bullying, authoritarian state.

Besides, the need for this shift transcends economics. There is a strong and widely shared belief in this country that climate change is both real and an existential threat to the future of life on this planet. If all goes well in Oakville, the options for Canadians wanting to ditch their emissions-spewing gas-guzzler and drive electrically will soon soar.

To be sure, the investment by taxpayers in this initiative is hefty. Ford Canada needs to make a firm commitment to this plant and, as well, clearly state what it would do if the situation changes and something goes wrong. For now, however, keep in mind that all the talk about rebuilding Canada with energy-efficient retrofits, more clean energy and environmentally responsible infrastructure isn’t just talk.

The Oakville deal shows what a cleaner, greener but still economically vibrant Canada can look like.