The Prime Minister and the Premier announced major funding to support major upgrades and renovations to Goodyear Canada in Napanee.
On Monday morning, Justin Trudeau and Doug Ford pledged millions towards a $575 million upgrade by the company.
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Through the lens of a national media outlet camera. (l-r) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Doug Ford, Laura Duda Senior VP of Goodyear, Minister Vic Fedeli and Stone Mills Township Mayor John Wise at Goodyear Canada in Napanee. L&A MPP Ric Bresee is just off camera (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
President and CEO of Goodyear Mark Stewart was also on hand and says work has already commenced, with completion expected in 2027.
“We’ve got a long tenured partnership with Canada and Ontario specifically. We’ve been selling and manufacturing tires since 1910 here in Canada and here in Napanee since 1988.”
“Today’s announcement reinforces our long-term commitment to Canada and enhances our agility and flexibility, positioning Goodyear to meet the evolving needs of our customers now and in the future,” said Mark Stewart, Chief Executive Officer and President. “We are appreciative to the federal, provincial and local governments for their support and to our Napanee associates for their dedication to building the next generation of tires.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks at the Goodyear Plant in Napanee, with the Goodyear CEO Mark Stewart and PM Justin Trudeau in the backdrop. Staff at Goodyear also in the background (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
There will be new, state-of-the-art equipment and technology, that Goodyear says will enable the Napanee plant to become a leading producer.
The expectation is that the Napanee location will produce an additional two million tires annually.
The facility will maintain and grow the full-time positions by 200 positions. Once the hiring is complete, more than 1,000 people will be employed by Goodyear Napanee.
Officials say the project will get the Goodyear Napanee plant to net-zero emissions by 2040.
The Government of Canada will invest $44.3 million, while the Province of Ontario is investing a further $20 million.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the automotive sector in Canada has been a driver of the economy for decades. He says the previous federal Conservative Government did not invest in the sector properly.
“The results speak for themselves. In just the last four years , we’ve attracted over $46 billion worth of investments across the E.V (electronic vehicle) supply chain, from mines to assembly lines.”
Premier Doug Ford told the conference that the announcement was an example of everyone coming together to help workers with better jobs and bigger paycheques.
“Our number one selling feature anywhere in the world, are the people of Ontario. I’ll put our folks against anyone, anywhere in the world. We have the best of the best.”
Stephen Paul with with Lennox and Addington County as the Director of Community and Development Services.
“Goodyear, for the 30 plus years it’s been here has been a big strong part of our economy regionally. Even when you look at the employment base, it’s shared between the Kingston, Quinte, and the Lennox and Addington area.”
The full media announcement can be heard below.
Staff at the Goodyear Plant in Napanee (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
