Federal government and Que. government announce electric bus project
by CM Staff
The financial support of over $780M from the federal government, will try and make it possible to carry out the largest electric buses acquisition project in North America.
SAINT-EUSTACHE — On May 8, Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, Geneviève Guilbault, Deputy Premier and Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, and Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Laurentides Region announced investments of over $780 million from the Government of Canada and over $1.1 billion from the Government of Quebec to support the purchase of 1,229 electric buses and enhance Quebec’s network of electric public transit.
The financial support of over $780M from the federal government, will try and make it possible to carry out the largest electric buses acquisition project in North America.
This funding will allow ten public transportation organizations (PTO) to begin the massive conversion of their bus fleets to become 100% electric, in line with Quebec’s Plan for a Green Economy (PEV 2030) and Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan. The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is the representative for the contract on behalf of the nine other transit agencies and is responsible for the procurement of the buses.
In order to maximize the potential for local economic benefits, the level of Canadian content required in this call for tenders was set at 25% and the final assembly must be done in Canada, in accordance with the applicable trade agreements to which Québec subscribes. Following a public call for tenders issued in April 2022, Nova Bus, a company headquartered in Saint-Eustache, was awarded the contract to manufacture these buses. All the buses covered by this contract will be produced and assembled in Nova Bus’ Quebec plant, which will help generate significant economic benefits for Quebec and Canada.
“Across Quebec, citizens rely on public transit to get where they need to be each day. With today’s $780 million investment, our government is enhancing the electric public transit network across the province. We will continue to partner with the Government of Quebec to deliver modern and reliable infrastructure that meets the needs of our communities today and into the future,” said Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.
“By investing to help Quebec transit operators purchase electric buses, we continue to fight climate change and encourage Quebec entrepreneurs who are participating in the development of the green economy of the future. The federal government is fully committed to supporting the green transition of our economy and we continue to deliver for Quebecers through investments that will make a real difference in their daily lives,” said Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Quebec Lieutenant.
