The union representing employees at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay states its members are “all set and excited” to construct brand-new train cars and trucks for Toronto after Premier Doug Ford’s federal government prompted the City of Toronto and the TTC to choose the maker.
In a social networks post, provincial Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stated his workplace asked for factor to consider of a sole-source handle Alstom to have its Line 2 train cars and trucks made at the Thunder Bay plant in a relocation that would “secure Ontario employees and their tasks” in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
“Unifor backs the push to see our Thunder Bay members constructing train automobiles for Toronto,” Unifor nationwide president Lana Payne stated in a release.
“Ensuring various levels of federal governments are collaborating to put procurement dollars to work and take full advantage of Canadian tasks is constantly great policy and in these times a lot more so.”
In the face of President Trump’s tariffs, we’re withstanding secure #Ontario employees and their tasks.
I’ve asked for @MayorOliviaChow and the @cityoftoronto think about a sole-source procurement with Alstom for the TTC’s brand-new train trains– a relocation that would support great tasks … https://t.co/ptx2cGWu5J!.?.!— Prabmeet Sarkaria(@PrabSarkaria)April 24, 2025 If granted the agreement, Unifor authorities state the union’s members would develop the 55 brand-new train cars and trucks required to change the existing automobiles on the Bloor-Danforth line as the fleet is nearing completion of its life-span. In late November, the federal government devoted the staying$758 million required for the brand-new trains. The financing matches contributions made by the Ontario federal government and the City of Toronto.” Every time such a financial investment gets the thumbs-up, it enhances our Unifor Made-in-Canada fightback,”stated Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi.” We have a turning point to focus on supporting our regional markets and strengthening Canada’s economy by developing sustainable, good-paying tasks right here in Ontario. “The Alstom plant was provided the nod to recondition 181 GO Transit bi-level rail coaches in January when the province devoted almost$500 million to the job that’s anticipated to support
numerous tasks. Lots are brand-new TTC trams are likewise presently being developed at the plant. Related: Ontario plant employees stress as feds still will not devote TTC subway train replacement cash Unifor Local 1075 president, Justin Roberts, stated the more work the much better.”Our members are prepared and excited to construct these train cars and trucks,”Roberts stated.” We’re confident that we’ll be
offered more chances, which in turn, will assist our neighborhoods grow and flourish.”Regardless of the advising from the province, Toronto formerly
stated the procedure would be open for bidding from numerous business. The agreement headed out to
the marketplace at the end of 2024. Despite how the procurement takes place, TTC authorities
formerly stated several times that the order requires to be made.”Investment in brand-new trains and the modernization of Line 2 is vital
to make sure the TTC can supply a top quality service to those who count on transit every day,” a report to the TTC board in September stated. Related: TTC protects moneying to purchase 55 brand-new train trains for Line 2″
Investment in Line 2 is essential to sustain existing train services and allow capability improvements to fulfill development.”The big job of revamping the Bloor-Danforth line began in 2020. The TTC started reserving funds to change the present Line 2 signalling system, parts of which were set up in the 1960s, with automated train control. Upgrades at the transit company’s
Greenwood train backyard and changing all trains were imagined to be part of the task. “
