Category: Reports

As the driving force of Canada’s automotive sector, Ontario has been pioneering technology breakthroughs in connected, autonomous, and electric mobility. Home to world-class research institutions, manufacturing facilities, mining companies, technology development sites, and financial services, Ontario fosters a culture of innovation that encourages and enables the commercialization of new technologies and services

The Province of Ontario is rich in a variety of critical minerals, including copper, cobalt, and nickel, which play a key role in the production and development of advanced technologies, such as electric vehicles (EVs). As of 2022, Ontario has 37 active mining operations, with 10 of them producing critical minerals. The critical mineral industry generates over $3.5 billion in annual mineral production for the province, showcasing its importance and potential for Ontario’s economy.

In recent years, the emergence of new technologies in the automotive and mobility sector impacted skills and training that workers require to be successful in the field. Here is a breakdown of major trends in electrification, automation, and digital transformation that are driving training, education, and skills requirements for workers in the sector. These trends and technological advancements have raised upskilling and talent development needs for individuals seeking employment in the sector. In particular, job seekers m ay need to gather an increasingly technical and specialized skillset to fulfill employers’ needs.

Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly pervasive as everyday processes and products are digitalized. In the automotive industry, cyber security is gaining increased focus as vehicles—which can now feature more lines of code than a 747 jet—become increasingly complex and digital. Organizations across Ontario are playing a leading role in the development of cyber security solutions. Ongoing projects at world-class automotive cyber security research labs and partnerships between the private sector and academia are facilitating Ontario-made cyber security innovations. With these strengths and its thriving automotive sector, Ontario is uniquely positioned to continue pioneering advances in automotive cyber security. Read the Executive Summary or download the full report.

The cross-border movement of people and goods is a key driver of economic growth. Canada’s ports of entry play a major role in cross-border movement, facilitating both international trade and tourism. As trends towards globalization continue and advances in transportation encourage movement, effective cross-border processes and infrastructure will be increasingly important for ensuring the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. Read the Executive Summary or download the full report.

As the automotive and parts manufacturing industry transitions to the low-carbon economy and embraces advanced digital and automation technologies, a workforce with a broader mix of skills, training and experience will be required. Some of these emerging skills in the electrification value chain include digital skills, knowledge of advanced manufacturing, software development for vehicle electronics, and battery design. Additionally, skills related to battery and charging technologies, along with EV and infrastructure maintenance, and repair skills are expected to be high in demand. In addition to this technical knowledge, non-technical skills and abilities, such as communication skills, leadership, motivation, a learning mindset, and problem-solving skills will all be differentiating factors for the labour pool.

This report presents an overview of Ontario’s goods movement industry with a focus on road transportation. It examines the current state of some of the key elements of the goods movement sector, including policies, infrastructure investments, and pilot programs. The report concludes by identifying some opportunities to build upon Ontario’s successes in road transportation. Read the Executive Summary or download the full report.

The strength of Ontario’s mining sector is matched by that of its automotive sector. With proven track records in both mining and auto manufacturing, an “open for business attitude,” and a highly skilled workforce, Ontario is poised to be a key player in the clean energy transition. Ontario is uniquely positioned to develop a thriving end-to-end electric vehicle (EV) value chain that stretches from critical mineral extraction, processing, and refining to battery production, use, repurposing, and recycling. This report presents an overview of critical minerals, highlights their role in EV batteries, and examines Ontario’s existing strengths in the EV battery supply chain, while identifying opportunities for Ontario to secure its role as a global leader in all stages of the EV battery lifecycle. Read the Executive Summary

As Ontario looks to transition to a more sustainable future, the province is working diligently on leveraging its resources to accelerate EV development and adoption in the province. This report also sheds light on the major strengths of Ontario as a global leader and partner toward reaching a green mobility future. Thanks to these numerous strengths, the world has been eyeing the province as a leading jurisdiction to partner with, learn from, and in which to establish businesses.

Ontario’s automotive production industry employs over 160,800 workers across a wide range of occupations. These occupations cover vehicle assembly, parts manufacturing and other supporting jobs related to material, metal and electronics production. This booklet highlights some of the skills that are currently in-demand or forecasted to be in-demand by the industry. It is driven by insights from industry executives, primary research on labour market data and considering the growth and advancement of Ontario’s automotive and parts manufacturing industry. *Revised on August 4, 2021

In this report, we highlight the different types of electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure technologies. We also discuss the major benefits of adopting EVs for both the vehicle owner and the environment, and touch upon the current market dynamics of EV adoption globally and in Canada.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities can bring significant benefits to both students and employers and help build a strong talent pipeline for the sector. In this insights piece, we provide a snapshot of these benefits, the different types of WIL opportunities, and the programs and initiatives that currently exist to support talent development through the adoption of WIL opportunities at the provincial and federal levels. We also highlight future opportunities to proliferate WIL programs across Ontario’s automotive and mobility sector.