Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, Geneviève Guilbault, Deputy Premier and Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, and Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Laurentides Region announced investments of over $780 million from the Government of Canada and over $1.1 billion from the Government of Quebec to support the purchase of 1,229 electric buses and enhance Quebec's network of electric public transit.
This financial support, which is unparalleled in Canada, makes it possible to carry out the largest electric buses acquisition project in North America.
This funding will allow ten public transportation organizations (PTO) to begin the massive conversion of their bus fleets to become 100% electric, in line with Quebec's Plan for a Green Economy (PEV 2030) and Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan. This investment also delivers on the federal government's commitment to help purchase 5,000 zero emission buses over the next five years. The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is the representative for the contract on behalf of the nine other transit agencies and is responsible for the procurement of the buses.
In order to maximize the potential for local economic benefits, the level of Canadian content required in this call for tenders was set at 25% and the final assembly must be done in Canada, in accordance with the applicable trade agreements to which Québec subscribes. Following a public call for tenders issued in April 2022, Nova Bus, a company headquartered in Saint-Eustache, was awarded the contract to manufacture these buses. All the buses covered by this contract will be produced and assembled in Nova Bus' Quebec plant, which will help generate significant economic benefits for Quebec and Canada.
By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country's economy, increasing the resiliency of our communities, and improving the lives of Quebecers and all Canadians.
