Canadian government invests $15 million to enable New Flyer to expand local manufacturing of zero emission buses

The Government of Canada is investing $15 million in supporting the manufacturing of New Flyer electric and hydrogen fuel-cell transit buses in Canada. The resources will be used by NFI Group “to expand operations and fully manufacture New Flyer transit buses in Winnipeg, Manitoba”, as reported in the press release announcing the move.

New Flyer to expand production in Canada

The goal is clear: in this way “Canadian public transit authorities will be able to purchase more Canadian-made zero-emission buses to address their fleet renewal needs”, quoting from the release. The funding will ensure NFI Group can meet Canadian standards and will support the development of workforce training specific to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing including a proposed “Zero-Emission Pre-Apprenticeship Program.”

The project, New Flyer states, “will repurpose existing space at its Winnipeg production facility and the lease of a new finishing facility for final vehicle commissioning, expanding New Flyer’s production capacity by up to 240 equivalent units per annum by 2027“.

NFI will be co-investing in the project alongside the Province and PrairiesCan, to support facility upgrades, zero-emission bus testing, working capital, project administration, and operational costs. Construction activities are starting immediately with the first bus builds taking place in the fourth quarter of 2025, with a continued ramp up through 2026 before achieving the full 240 equivalent unit run rate in 2027. 

Canadian’s investments in e-mobility

In 2023, Minister Vandal dedicated $100 million of existing PrairiesCan funding over three years to support projects aligned with priorities of the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy, which include growing the manufacturing sector and capitalizing on clean electricity to seize new opportunities in the net-zero future.

“This is a significant step forward by NFI Group. Increasing manufacturing capacity in the zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle sector is good news for Canada and solidifies Manitoba’s leadership in this field”, states Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan

“Canada is a world leader in the low carbon economy. This announcement with NFI Group builds on important investments that our government is making to build Canada’s zero-emission vehicle supply chain, including in commuting systems. This is an expression of confidence in our manufacturing sector and in our efforts to build a sustainable economy of the future that is part of Canada’s path to net-zero.” adds François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

Paul Soubry, President and CEO at NFI, parent company of New Flyer, states: “Such announcement is a major milestone for the entire team at NFI that will enable us to complete full buses in Canada for the first time in over 20 years. I would like to thank our partners at the Province of Manitoba and PrairiesCan for their commitment and financial support that will help enhance Manitoba’s Green economy. These funds will be strategically invested alongside our own capital to expand our production capacity and increase our zero-emissions transit bus offerings, which will create new jobs and help create more livable North American communities.”