The Government of Canada has confirmed its first investment under the new Buy Canadian Policy, with funds allocated to the purchase of 55 Alstom subway trains for Toronto’s Line 2.
The federal government will contribute 950.9 million CAD to the project, an increase from the previously planned 758 million CAD, matched by an equivalent investment from the Ontario government.
This increased investment leverages the Buy Canadian Policy and prioritises the use of Canadian materials and manufacturing
© Toronto Transit Commission
The trains will be fully assembled in Canada and include 55 percent Canadian content. The project will support more than 1,700 jobs across the country, including around 900 directly linked to the assembly and supply chain.
The new subway trains will be fully assembled in Canada
© Toronto Transit Commission
The Buy Canadian Policy aims to prioritise domestic industries and workers in federal procurement decisions, reinforcing Canada’s economic resilience by supporting local manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
The Honourable Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation said:
Today’s announcement delivers on our government’s commitment to protect Ontario, both by ensuring Ontario tax dollars support Ontario workers and by strengthening and supporting the province’s manufacturing sector. The manufacturing of new subway trains at Alstom’s Ontario facilities will keep skilled workers on the job and ensure Ontario and Canada have the domestic manufacturing capacity that is critical to our economic prosperity and national security.
Alstom Americas will design and assemble the trains at its Thunder Bay facility, with testing taking place in Kingston. The project is expected to create around 1,000 Canadian jobs.
The funding is part of the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF), under which Toronto is expected to receive up to 1.2 billion CAD over ten years to improve public transit systems. The Baseline Funding stream of the CPTF aims to provide predictable support to existing transit networks, enhance accessibility, encourage cleaner transportation options, and contribute to local economic activity.
Jamaal Myers, Chair, Toronto Transit Commission said:
The TTC is grateful to all funding partners for their support for these new Line 2 subway trains, as we work collaboratively to improve transit for the hundreds of thousands of riders who use the TTC’s Line 2 every day. We are also pleased that these trains will support hundreds of Canadian jobs at Alstom in Thunder Bay, while maximising Canadian content.