(Saint-Jérôme) The federal government is not closing the door on Lion Electric’s request that Ottawa change its tender criteria to prioritize local products and purchase “specially designed” vehicles.
Posted yesterday at 2:02 p.m.
On Thursday morning, Federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Gilbelt met with the Chief Operating Officer of Bus Manufacturers at the Lion Assembly Plant in St-Jerome.
Ottawa wants 35% of all medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold by 2030 to be zero-emission vehicles, and the government plans to invest nearly $ 550 million over the next four years in a medium and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicle purchase incentive program to help. Companies modernize their vehicles.
For Mr. Pauline, the federal government’s 2030 emissions reduction plan is “candy” and “it’s very beneficial” for his company.
“It’s very, very positive and we’re talking about more local employment,” he said.
Control tenders
Although Lion Electric is pleased with Ottawa’s new climate plan, the company is urging the government to enforce regulations when allocating calls for tenders or financial assistance programs to block assembly in Canada.
The manufacturer also wants the government to “promote specially designed vehicles”.
Asked if Ottawa would respond positively to a call from the Saint-Jerome Company, Minister Gilbelt said his government was studying the question.
“I’m currently working with my colleagues, including Minister Philomina Tassi, who is currently Minister of Public Services and Procurement, so that the federal government actually adopts a responsible procurement approach from a social and environmental perspective.” Minister Gilbelt said.
Some countries have adopted favorable standards for local assembly, such as the “By American Act” in the United States.
The law forced Lion Electric to assemble vehicles ordered in the United States at its plant in Illinois. This plant should come into operation this year.
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