Making it in Ontario

The State of Canada’s Auto Industry in 2026

Is your knowledge of Canada’s automotive industry up to date? The Trillium Network has crunched the numbers and reports on how vehicle production, assembly plant employment, and labour productivity have evolved since 2016. In this episode, the report’s authors, Brendan Sweeney and Greg Keenan, unpack the stats and discuss the driving forces behind them. They conclude with three policy recommendations that we hope to see in the federal government’s forthcoming automotive strategy. 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Trillium Network’s New Automotive Industry Bulletin 01:34 Reasons Behind the Report's Timing 03:07 Key Findings on Vehicle Production 07:49 Impact on Employment and Productivity 12:58 Federal Automotive Strategy and Recommendations 17:02 Impact of Chinese Auto Imports and Consumer Choices Read the Trillium Network Data Bulletin 1. The Road Behind Is Not the Road Ahead: What a Decade of Data Tells Us About Canada's Automotive Future https://trilliummfg.ca/data-bulletin/the-road-behind-is-not-the-road-ahead/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://trilliummfg.ca/data-bulletin/the-road-behind-is-not-the-road-ahead/&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1770212701412569&usg=AOvVaw1T4LeRpgRC1gxU2Xnnb2mT] Find Out More About Trillium 1. Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca 2. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg [http://linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg] 3. X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg [http://x.com/TrilliumMfg] 4. Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg [http://instagram.com/trilliummfg] 5. Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg [http://facebook.com/trilliummfg] 6. 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 [https://trilliummfg.ca/]. It is produced by Storied Places Media [http://storiedplaces.ca].

Why This Historian Thinks a Canadian Car is Feasible

As Canada’s auto industry faces fresh uncertainty, an old story from New Brunswick suddenly feels very current. In this episode, host Brendan Sweeney and guest host Greg Keenan sit down with Dimitry Anastakis, a University of Toronto professor and the author of Dream Car, a book about the history of the New Brunswick-built Bricklin SV1. Dimitry details the fascinating yet tumultuous journey of the Bricklin in the 1970s, why it was a failure with important lessons, and how we can apply those lessons to the startup and sustainability of a Canadian car company today. Dimitry also reflects on the Trillium Network’s Shifting Gears report and shares his vision for what a uniquely Canadian car should look like. 00:00 Introduction and Previous Episode Recap 00:52 Introducing the Guest: Dimitry Anastakis 02:43 Dimitry's Background and Academic Journey 04:13 Writing ‘Dream Car’: More than a Simple Case Study 08:41 Why Dimitry Thinks a Canadian Car is Feasible 09:50 The Future of Canadian Car Manufacturing 15:44 The Challenge of Sustaining a Car Company 25:35 Parallels Between Bricklin and Tesla 30:26 Why Dimitry Was Less Pessimistic After Reading the Trillium Network’s Report 45:46 What Dimitry Thinks a Canadian Car Should Look Like Read the Trillium Network Report 1. Shifting Gears: The Potential for a Canadian Car Company trilliummfg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/January-5-Shifting-Gears_TrilliumNetwork.pdf [http://trilliummfg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/January-5-Shifting-Gears_TrilliumNetwork.pdf] Find Out More About Dimitry Anastakis 1. Dimitry Anastakis University of Toronto Profile history.utoronto.ca/people/directories/all-faculty/dimitry-anastakis 2. Dream Car: Malcolm Bricklin’s Fantastic SV1 and the End of Industrial Modernity utppublishing.com/doi/book/10.3138/9781487555825#generate-pdf [https://utppublishing.com/doi/book/10.3138/9781487555825#generate-pdf] 3. The North American Auto Industry since NAFTA utorontopress.com/9781487527372/the-north-american-auto-industry-since-nafta Find Out More About Trillium 1. Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca 2. Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca 3. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg [http://linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg] 4. X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg [http://x.com/TrilliumMfg] 5. Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg [http://instagram.com/trilliummfg] 6. Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg [http://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 [https://trilliummfg.ca/]. It is produced by Storied Places Media [http://storiedplaces.ca].

Is a Canadian Car Company Feasible?

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 [http://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 [http://linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg] 4. X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg [http://x.com/TrilliumMfg] 5. Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg [http://instagram.com/trilliummfg] 6. Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg [http://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 [https://trilliummfg.ca/]. It is produced by Storied Places Media [http://storiedplaces.ca].

Canola or Automotive: Which Contributes More to the Economy?

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 [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/ [https://downtownoktoberfest.weebly.com/] Find Out More About Trillium * Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca * Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca * LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg [http://linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg] * X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg [http://x.com/TrilliumMfg] * Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg [http://instagram.com/trilliummfg] * Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg [http://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 [https://trilliummfg.ca/]. It is produced by Storied Places Media [http://storiedplaces.ca].

PowerCo Canada: Investing in Careers and Ontario’s EV Future

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/ [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 [http://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 [http://linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg] * X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg [http://x.com/TrilliumMfg] * Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg [http://instagram.com/trilliummfg] * Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg [http://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 [https://trilliummfg.ca/]. It is produced by Storied Places Media [http://storiedplaces.ca].