Taking into account the whole ecosystem is key, from mining, R and D and university involvement to assembly, infrastructure and recycling. Recycling is an important piece we haven't talked a lot about. The diesel or gas used to power traditional vehicles is not recyclable, whereas up to 95% of the components in electric vehicle batteries can be recycled. That is a priority focus for companies like Lithion, in Quebec. Lithion developed an exciting new technology and just signed an agreement with Hyundai Canada to recycle batteries.
We can't build a complete supply chain by sending raw materials out of the country for processing to be returned as finished products. A secondary and tertiary processing industry would create added value. Unfortunately, that has not been the habit of Quebec or Canada in the past. As a former environment minister, I saw the approach that was taken when it came to our lumber and iron industries. Back then, they used to say, “10¢ per tonne”.