Original Media Release, Ontario Newsroom, December 2, 2021
MARKHAM – The Ontario government has launched a flagship program to drive innovation and investment across Ontario’s electric, connected and autonomous vehicle sector. Its $56.4 million investment in the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) is part of Driving Prosperity ― The Future of Ontario’s Automotive Sector, the government’s plan to drive deals and secure production mandates for hybrid and electric vehicles, create a domestic battery ecosystem, and strengthen Ontario’s position as a North American automotive and electric vehicle (EV) innovation hub.
At GM Canada’s Canadian Technical Centre (CTC) in Markham, Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade announced the province’s latest commitment to putting Ontario at the forefront of global demand for cleaner, safer, more sustainable transportation solutions.
Delivered in partnership with the Ontario Centre for Innovation (OCI), OVIN is Ontario’s response to the rising global demand for EV and Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) technologies and infrastructure. Building on the success of previous programs that encourage partnerships between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), industry, academia and municipalities – OVIN will help to strengthen Ontario’s auto industry and make the province more competitive for new investments in EV and CAV technologies. It will act as Ontario’s hub for the province-wide coordination of activities and resources related to EV and CAV research and commercialization.