Ottawa, Manitoba investing in zero-emission bus construction

A New Flyer bus is pictured in Winnipeg on Oct. 25, 2024. The federal and provincial governments are investing $38.4 million to help New Flyer expand its facility and build more zero emission buses. (Daniel Timmerman/CTV News Winnipeg)

The federal and provincial governments are investing in a facility in Winnipeg to help build zero-emission buses in Canada.

Premier Wab Kinew, along with federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, announced investments in New Flyer totaling $38.4 million, of that, $23.4 million will be coming from the province, while $15 million will come from Ottawa.

“The investment we’re making today is about putting a Made in Canada stamp on the low-carbon economy,” Kinew said.

The investment will be used to expand production capacity at New Flyer, and create 250 direct jobs in Winnipeg, and hundreds of indirect jobs, according to a news release. It will also fully build zero-emission buses in Winnipeg, rather than having to finish production at other locations.

“The final assembly, the finished product, the bus rolling off the line when it’s ordered by Winnipeg Transit, or TTC, or all these other transit organizations across the country, that will be built here in Transcona, and built by Manitoba labour,” Kinew said.

“Providing Canadians with clean, mass transit options to get to work and to live their lives, is key to helping everyone achieve and benefit from a net-zero economy,” Vandal said.

Construction on the expansion will start in 2024, and is expected to be finished in 2025, the premier said.