Automotive jobs have been flowing out of Canada just about as fast as the value of the Canadian dollar has been rising, but Canadian Industry Minister Jim Prentice is looking to flip the script. Canada has offered Ford $75 million to keep more than 750 jobs in Windsor, Ontario.
The incentives package is intended to help Ford retool its Essex engine plant in Windsor from making V8 engines to more fuel-efficient powerplants. The plan would also call for Ford to setup an R&D facility near the Essex plant.
“It will also become a key North American in-house center for the advanced testing and R&D in some of the most complex and value-added production added elements in the automotive industry,” Prentice told Reuters.
Although the plan will only recoup a fraction of the Canadian automotive jobs lost over the last several months due the slumping North American market, it’s an encouraging sign to see at least one plant committing to the future of its workers.
