In a significant development, a Canadian-built transit bus has been produced entirely in Canada after a gap of 15 years, according to officials at a recent event in Winnipeg. Premier Wab Kinew highlighted the importance of local manufacturing in supporting the low-carbon economy during the unveiling at New Flyer’s newly expanded facility.
The project, named True North, was initiated by New Flyer, a subsidiary of the NFI Group, and received financial support of $38 million from federal and provincial governments. The expansion has created around 250 jobs at the facility where Xcelsior hybrid-electric buses are now being manufactured, showcasing advanced manufacturing skills and boosting the domestic supply chain.
NFI’s former CEO, Paul Soubry, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating that it signifies a shift towards all-Canadian production for Canadian communities. The company’s global headquarters in Winnipeg currently employs nearly 3,000 individuals and supplies buses to various cities across Canada.
The move to complete bus manufacturing in Winnipeg allows for more materials to be locally sourced, although certain components, like engines, still need to be imported. Due to “buy American” regulations, New Flyer can only ship bus shells to the U.S. for final assembly, with 70% of materials required to be of U.S. origin.
Despite these challenges, New Flyer is steadily increasing its production capacity, currently building 20 transit bus shells weekly, with a focus on serving both Canadian and U.S. markets. This shift towards local production has been commended by federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, who emphasized the importance of supporting Canadian-based manufacturing amid global trade uncertainties.