Montreal, Quebec – In a recent announcement made by CBC, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier François Legault were in Montreal Thursday to announce that a multi-billion dollar EV plant will be built east of the city.
Executives with the Swedish company, Northvolt–battery manufacturer and the largest integrated battery maker in Europe–joined the political leaders to announce definitive details for the new mega-factory.
The plant, poised to be built in the area near Saint-Basile-le-Grand and McMasterville, Que., (about 30 km east of Montreal) is expected to be the size of more than 75 football fields, or 100 hectares, and employ approximately 4000 workers.
Canada beat out the United States for the partnership with Northvolt, with Quebec being chosen over California due to financial advantages–according to an initial report made by Radio-Canada.
While discussions are still ongoing and the plant has not yet even begun to break ground, news is already raising concerns from locals over future potential noise and pollution issues.
A petition with 700 signatures has been submitted to the McMasterville, Que., municipal council to block the project.
Regardless of local resistance, the announcement of this plant marks Quebec’s continued advancement into EV battery manufacturing as it follows on the coat tails of last month’s announcement of a $640 million Ford EV plant in Bécancour.
