Canada’s newly-appointed Minister of Industry, Mélanie Joly, took to social media on Wednesday to reassure Honda workers their jobs are safe. The post comes one day after the Japanese automaker announced it was pressing pause on its massive $15 billion electric vehicle (EV) expansion in Alliston, Ont. Honda confirmed plans to delay the EV expansion for at least two-years due to slower-than-expected market growth and economic uncertainty, particularly tied to international trade concerns. In the post, Joly said she spoke with Honda Canada President and CEO Dave Jamieson, who confirmed the company is “fully committed to major EV investments” in Canada. Joly added that Jamieson said “workers will keep their good-paying jobs and working conditions won’t change.” Honda Global’s chief executive, Toshihiro Mibe, said on Tuesday the company is postponing the EV project for at least two years to reassess its strategy in a rapidly changing automotive industry. “We decided to postpone our large scale investments,” Mibe stated. “The automotive industry environment has changed dramatically, requiring more than ever a flexible response.” The EV project in Alliston, originally unveiled in April 2024 by then-prime minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford, was expected to include upgrades to Honda’s manufacturing plant, a nearby EV battery plant, and two battery component facilities elsewhere in Ontario. The goal was to have the Alliston EV plant operational by 2028. “If the conditions were to change, at that point in time, we will have to revisit this,” Mibe added. “We want to be prudent in such efforts in dealing with tariff measures.” New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross pointed to Honda’s long history in Simcoe County. “Honda’s got over 40 years invested in New Tecumseth, that’s not a relationship I can see anybody walking away from.” The Alliston location currently employs roughly 4,200 people and produces nearly 390,000 vehicles each year, making it one of Simcoe County’s largest employers.
