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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

General Motors Significantly Expands In Ontario, Canada

06/10/2016
General Motors will significantly expand its engineering and software development work in Ontario, Canada. GM plans to create more than 700 jobs.

As the top vehicle producer in North America, Ontario has quickly become a global automotive hub, Canadian economic development officials said. The province’s robust automotive presence is the primary reason General Motors chose Ontario for this investment, which will allow the renamed Canadian Technical Centre to play a leading role in the development of the next generation of connected, autonomous and alternative-fuel vehicles.

In addition to the investment, General Motors will build a major software development centre in Markham and upgrade its cold weather testing facility in Kapuskasing, doubling the length of its test track. The company will also expand its Ontario-based engineering team by more than 700 positions over the next few years.

“GM’s decision to develop next-generation vehicle technologies in Ontario is a vote of confidence in our province’s highly skilled workers and strength as an innovation hub. Our government welcomes this investment, which will help Ontario play a leading role in building the auto industry of the future,” said Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario.

“Today’s announcement sends a positive signal to the global auto industry that Ontario is the ideal location for developing and commercializing disruptive technologies. Our government will continue its close partnerships with industry, labour, and the innovation sector to secure the province’s long-term future as a leader for auto innovation and advanced manufacturing. Congratulations to GM Canada on this significant achievement, and we look forward to our continued partnership,” said Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure.

“GM selected Ontario to be a key software engineering hub for the future because of its wealth of talent and focus on innovation. Ontario is a leader in STEM graduates, artificial intelligence and mobile security and has shown its commitment to taking a regulatory approach that enables innovation,” said Stephen Carlisle, President/Managing Director, General Motors of Canada Company.

GM Canada is headquartered in Oshawa and employs about 9,000 people in Ontario, with assembly plants in Oshawa and Ingersoll, plus an engine plant in St. Catharines. Ontario assembly plants produced nearly 15 per cent of North American vehicles over the last five years and the auto industry contributes around $16 billion annually to the province’s GDP.

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