As we enter a new year where Canadian economic sovereignty is a top priority and our automotive industry faces an uncertain future, discussions have been heating up about the prospect of a truly Canadian car company. With insights from the report’s co-authors, Brendan Sweeney and Greg Keenan, this episode unpacks a new Trillium Network report that provides insight into the feasibility of a Canadian car company, who might be involved, and how Canada’s auto-making expertise could be turned into a commercially-viable OEM.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:58 Special Guest Host Introduction

03:14 Why a Canadian Car Company is a Hot Topic

06:54 Does Canada Already Have a Car Company?

16:59 Turning Auto-Making Expertise Into a Commercially-Viable OEM

26:05 How Governments Can Help

32:55 Likely Company Structure and Partners

40:23 Biggest Challenges

41:41 Leveraging Canada’s Strengths in Automation and Nuclear

Highlighted Links

1. Trillium Network: Shifting Gears: The Potential for a Canadian Car Company trilliummfg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/January-5-Shifting-Gears_TrilliumNetwork.pdf
2. Wired: That Disastrous Car Homer Simpson Designed Was Actually Ahead of Its Time

wired.com/2014/07/homer-simpson-car/

1. Magna Torrero: magna.com/company/company-information/facts-history/magna-torrero

Find Out More About Trillium

1. Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
2. Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
3. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
4. X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
5. Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
6. Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
7. Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

This episode of 'Making it in Ontario' unpacks a new data bulletin by the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing that examines claims that the canola industry contributes $43 billion worth of GDP to Canada's economy, more than the automotive, steel, and aluminum sectors combined. Hosts Michelle Samson and Brendan Sweeney discuss the flawed methodology that generated that total, how the Trillium Network generated a more accurate number, and the importance of responsible advocacy.

• 00:14 A New Narrative About Canola’s Economic Contributions
• 01:22 Debunking the Canola Report
• 03:15 Investigating the Canola Report’s Methodology
• 06:13 Trillium’s Methodology and Findings
• 10:23 Responsible vs. Irresponsible Advocacy
• 11:55 Podcast Updates and Reminders

Highlighted Links

• Trillium Network: Cars & Canola: The Economic Contributions of Two Trade-Impacted Industries https://trilliummfg.ca/data-bulletin/cars-canola-canadas-trade-powerhouses/
• The Globe and Mail: Auto sector’s benefits outweigh canola industry’s, Ontario think tank says https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-auto-sectors-benefits-outweigh-canola-industrys-ontario-think-tank/
• National Post: New report challenges canola's $43-billion contribution to GDP https://financialpost.com/commodities/energy/electric-vehicles/report-challenges-canola-43-billion-contribution-gdp?itm_source=index
• St. Thomas Downtown Oktoberfest: https://downtownoktoberfest.weebly.com/

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

PowerCo Canada is about to start construction on its massive $7 billion EV battery plant in St. Thomas, which means a major recruitment campaign is underway. In this episode of Making it in Ontario, we sit down with Norman Wickboldt, PowerCo Canada’s CHRO, for a deep dive into the hiring plans—including what types of skills will be needed (and when), the differences between working in an EV battery plant versus a traditional vehicle assembly plant, and how PowerCo Canada is building a robust talent pipeline for the future.

• 00:00 Introduction to Making it in Ontario
• 04:56 Norman's Background and Career Journey
• 11:18 First Impressions of Canada and Working With St. Thomas
• 15:48 Working in an EV Battery Operation vs a Traditional Vehicle Assembly Plant
• 17:51 Recruitment Scale and Timing
• 20:36 Who Should Apply and How to Prepare
• 24:08 Types of Opportunities Available Now and in the Near Future
• 25:47 PowerCo Canada’s Strategy To Build a Robust Talent Pipeline
• 29:07 PowerCo’s Values and Culture
• 33:44 Future of Work in Advanced Manufacturing

Highlighted Links

• PowerCo Careers in St. Thomas: https://careers.powerco.de/go/St_-Thomas/9527301/
• Making it in Ontario Season 11, Episode 4 with Sean Dyke, “Why PowerCo Invested $7 Billion in St. Thomas, ON” https://player.captivate.fm/episode/21f19b80-993d-4ca5-8020-e229493921e3/

Find Out More about PowerCo

• Website: powerco.de
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/powerco-se
• Facebook: facebook.com/PowerCoOfficial
• Instagram: instagram.com/powerco_se

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.