Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario/News release
With an $8-million Government of Canada investment, the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) will support over 40 companies as the sector moves towards zero-emissions and connected and autonomous technologies
February 22, 2024 – Toronto, Ontario
Southern Ontario has emerged as a prominent hub for Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV), Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) innovation and new mobility solutions, attracting businesses and entrepreneurs who are developing cutting-edge technology to address our changing environment and growing need for greener practices. The Government of Canada is investing in people to drive innovation and growth so they can reach their potential and develop new possibilities for our country and our economy.
Today, at the Canadian International AutoShow, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), and Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, announced an investment of $8-million for the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), to establish two live-environment piloting sites to support the development and commercialization of new transportation technologies and innovative solutions in southern Ontario.
With one location in Toronto focusing on urban transportation and the other in Windsor/Sarnia focused on cross-border and multi-modal scenarios, these world-class, live-testing sites will act as a launch pad for over 40 SMEs as they pilot and commercialize over 40 new technologies, predominantly within the ZEV and CAV areas.
The Technology Pilot Zones will not only aim to fill a gap in Canada’s market for CAV and ZEV commercialization but will also break down the high barriers to entry and facilitate technology piloting in real-world environments, including highways, cross-border sites and urban transportation settings. In addition, this project will create and maintain 345 jobs and contribute to Canada’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 through the deployment of cleaner and more efficient technologies.
While at the AutoShow, Minister Tassi had the opportunity to view up and coming EV technologies at Electric City, meet with companies supported by OVIN, and test drive the future of mobility in an EV vehicle at the AutoShow test track. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting innovators as they evolve, adopt more sustainable practices, like EV technologies, and create good jobs for Canadians.
Quotes
“Southern Ontario plays a vital role in driving economic growth, especially when it comes to CAV and EV-related innovation and production. OVIN’s Pilot Zones in Toronto and Windsor/Sarnia will support the testing and validating of cleaner and more efficient mobility technologies, which will help make a brighter future for us all.” – The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“OVIN’s Pilot Zones in Toronto and Windsor/Sarnia will be instrumental in supporting our automobility innovators as they test and validate their technologies. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting innovators as they adopt more sustainable practices for a greener Canada.” – – Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre
“As the automotive sector continues to evolve, it is essential that SMEs across Ontario are equipped with the tools and resources necessary to ensure their success. The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network’s Technology Pilot Zones will play a key role in fostering innovation, economic growth and supporting job creation, allowing companies to take their cutting-edge electric and autonomous vehicle technologies to new heights.” – – The Honourable Victor Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
“As Canada’s automotive manufacturing and tech hub, the site of the busiest Canada-US border crossing, and the country’s largest economic centre, southern Ontario’s transportation networks are critical to the safe, efficient, and clean movement of people and goods. With the support of FedDev Ontario, the OVIN Technology Pilot Zones will be pivotal to the growth of purpose-driven, Ontario-made innovation, while addressing the biggest transportation challenges facing Ontarians and driving Canada’s zero-emissions future.” – – Raed Kadri, Head of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)
“Today’s announcement by the Government of Canada marks a significant milestone in advancing clean automobility innovation in southern Ontario. With the establishment of world-class testing sites through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network, we are thrilled to support more than 40 companies to pilot cutting-edge electric, as well as connected and autonomous vehicle technologies. This initiative not only drives economic growth but also accelerates our progress toward a more sustainable future for all Canadians.” – – Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO, Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Quick facts
- The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), is Ontario’s flagship initiative for the automotive and mobility sector, accelerating the development and commercialization of next-generation electric, connected and autonomous vehicle and mobility technologies, and supporting Ontario’s role as the manufacturing hub of Canada.
- OVIN has supported over 550 SMEs, catalyzed $700 million in private-sector investment, and seen nearly 5,000 jobs created and retained.
- The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) brings industry, academic, and government partners together to invest in collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialization opportunities that generate the highest return on innovation for Ontarians. As an ecosystem connector, OCI initiates unparalleled partnership opportunities, develops successful industry–academic collaborations, supports high-potential SMEs in commercializing groundbreaking technologies, and provides hands-on training and skills development opportunities for the next generation of innovators.
- To date, OCI has supported over 510 Ontario companies, and created and maintained nearly 6,300 jobs.
- Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $2.6 billion in more than 3,350 projects in southern Ontario, estimated to create and maintain over 200,000 jobs.
- Since 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested more than $64 million in 17 EV-related projects, creating and maintaining more than 1,100 jobs.
Contacts
Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca
FedDev Ontario
Media Relations
feddevontariomediarelations-relationsmedias@feddevontario.gc.ca