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New Tecumseth Mayor releases statement in support of local manufacturing

May 14, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Following media reports that Honda Canada has decided to halt plans for an electric vehicle (EV) facility in Alliston, New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross has issued a statement in support of local manufacturing.

The original announcement of the new EV facility was made in May 2024, when then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford visited the Alliston plant to announce that the new plant would be subsidized by the federal and provincial governments.

In May of 2025, Honda announced it would delay the project for at least 2 years due to sluggish EV demand.  

Reports have now come out from Japanese media saying the auto manufacturer has plans to halt the project.

Honda management, however, has not yet issued a statement on the matter.

Based on these current reports, New Tecumseth issued a statement on May 7 in support of local manufacturing.

“This is a pivotal moment for Canada’s manufacturing sector. The federal government must adapt its policies to better support Canadian-made vehicles and ensure our industry remains competitive in a rapidly changing market. Through our Council and the Simcoe Auto Mayors, we are actively working together to advance these priorities, including upcoming engagement in Japan to reinforce relationships and advocate for continued investment. Here in New Tecumseth, we will continue working closely with Honda and all our manufacturing partners to protect local jobs, support investment, and position our community for long-term success,” reads Mayor Norcross’s statement. 

“The Town of New Tecumseth is aware of recent media reports regarding Honda’s decision to halt plans for a proposed electric vehicle facility in Ontario. Our community has a long and proud history as a centre of automotive manufacturing, and Honda remains a valued and significant partner in New Tecumseth. We will continue to work collaboratively with Honda and all our manufacturing partners to support ongoing operations, protect local jobs, and position our community for future investment opportunities.”

The statement continued, “This moment underscores the need for strong and coordinated leadership at the national level. The Government of Canada has a clear opportunity to modernize and adapt its policies and incentives to support Canadian-made vehicles—including hybrid and electrified technologies—ensuring our domestic manufacturing base remains resilient, competitive, and aligned with market realities.”

New Tecumseth council unanimously made requests of the federal government during a meeting on April 27.

Council requested the recognition and integration of Canadian hybrid vehicles into the Federal Auto Strategy, the federal government works with Quebec and British Columbia to suspend their EV Mandates, and the federal government enacts strict policies within the Federal Auto Strategy to enable fair competition between existing Canadian Auto Manufacturers and Chinese EV manufacturers.

“Leading the Simcoe Auto Mayors, we are taking a coordinated approach—advocating for practical, market-aligned policies, strengthening relationships with industry leaders, and ensuring that the voice of municipalities is reflected in national decision-making. As part of this work, we will also be engaging directly in Japan to reinforce the importance of continued investment in our community and across Ontario’s manufacturing sector,” reads Mayor Norcross’s statement.

In the statement, he said New Tecumseth is taking a proactive, solutions-focused approach. Through council’s recent Manufacturing Sector Update and ongoing economic development efforts, it is working to:

· Support business retention and expansion within the manufacturing sector

· Strengthen relationships between industry, municipal government, and regional partners

· Advocate for practical, market-aligned policies that reflect the realities facing manufacturers today

· Promote workforce development and long-term economic resilience

· Position our community to attract future investment across both traditional and emerging automotive technologies

“Manufacturing continues to be a cornerstone of our local economy, supporting thousands of jobs and driving growth across the region. As industry conditions evolve, we remain committed to ensuring New Tecumseth is a competitive and supportive environment for investment,” reads Mayor Norcross’s statement.

“On May 21, the Town of New Tecumseth, alongside the Simcoe Auto Mayors, will come together at Town Hall to jointly call on the federal government for targeted amendments to federal automotive policies. At that time, we will also be unveiling a new initiative aimed at supporting and strengthening Canada’s automotive strategy.”

“We remain confident in the strength of our manufacturing sector and the resilience of our local economy, and we will continue to work with our partners at every level to support its long-term success,” the statement concluded. 

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