Last month, I joined Premier Ford along with the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Vic Fedeli, in Port Colborne as our government welcomed one of the largest private sector investments in Niagara’s history. Asahi Kasei Corporation’s investment of approximately $1.6 billion to build an electrical vehicle battery separator plant in Port Colborne is a game changer for our region and the province.
From mining critical minerals to building cars and batteries, Ontario businesses and workers are attracting historic investments to help secure and create jobs, grow the economy, and reduce air pollution. And last month’s announcement that Asahi Kasei will build the extensive battery component plant in our region ensures that Niagara will be at the centre of this impressive economic growth.
Located along Highway 140, South of Highway 58A in Port Colborne, the new state-of-the-art facility will manufacture lithium-ion battery separators, addressing an important gap in Ontario’s electric vehicle battery supply chain.This expansion marks Asahi Kasei’s first major investment in our province, which will help the company meet the growing demand in North America for lithium-ion battery separators. Commercial production at the new site is currently expected to begin in 2027.
Ontario has emerged as a major player in auto electrification – our government has welcomed more than $43 billion in automotive and electric vehicle‐related investments over the past four years from global automakers and parts suppliers to battery and materials manufacturers.
Ontario is leading the way in the electric vehicle growth trajectory – we are the only subnational jurisdiction in North America to have five major automotive assemblers, including Ford, General Motors, Honda, Stellantis and Toyota. Last year, Ontario welcomed Volkswagen’s $7-billion battery plant in St. Thomas, which is expected to begin production in 2027.
These new investments are in stark contrast to a failing automotive sector in Ontario before our government took office, a sad chapter in our manufacturing history culminating with the announced closure of the Oshawa GM assembly plant in 2018. Thanks to efforts by Premier Ford and continued support by the province, GM is expanding operations in Oshawa, Ingersoll, and St. Catharines, including adding a third shift in Oshawa to increase truck production.
A vote of confidence in the manufacturing legacy of our region, as an anchor employer, the new Asahi Kasei battery component plant in Port Colborne will lead to more automotive investments and jobs in Niagara. The new manufacturing facility is expected to create thousands of local highly skilled, good paying jobs in the manufacturing and construction sector, while drawing part suppliers and supporting businesses to our region. Good paying jobs help people build themselves up with additional skills, higher and more stable incomes, and a sense of accomplishment and promise.
From building new hospitals in Grimsby and Niagara Falls to twinning the Garden City Skyway in St. Catharines – from refurbishing the Sir Adam Beck hydroelectric power station in Niagara Falls to expanding the Peach King Centre in Grimsby – our government is making generational investments in Niagara that are strengthening our economy and building a better Ontario.
As I like to say – the province doesn’t end at the Burlington Skyway – and with our government’s support for our region and the good news of a new battery component plant, Niagara’ future has never looked brighter!
Sam Oosterhoff is MPP for the Niagara West riding.
