To be perfectly honest, I have to tell you that Canada is lagging behind, but that is also true of the entire western world.
Take battery manufacturing, for instance. In 2021, China, South Korea and Japan accounted for 85% of battery production.
European countries realized they were lagging behind and, in 2017, established an organization with the goal of building an EV battery manufacturing ecosystem.
Last year, Electric Mobility Canada helped create Accelerate, an alliance working to build a Canadian electric mobility supply chain, bringing together mining, mobility, battery and powertrain stakeholders.
Yes, Canada is lagging behind, but it isn't alone. The Americans have suddenly woken up. Canada needs to make up for lost time, and it's not too late. That said, this is a sector where things advance at a breakneck pace, so now is the time to take action.
Twelve years ago, during the last financial crisis, President Obama introduced a plan to accelerate R and D in the electric mobility sector. That has given the U.S. a bit of a lead. Canada didn't step up. Now, we have a second chance, but it will probably be our last because everyone is coming to the same realization.