A significant milestone was celebrated in Winnipeg as a fully Canadian-built transit bus was unveiled for the first time in 15 years, according to officials on Tuesday. Premier Wab Kinew emphasized the importance of the project in supporting Canada’s low-carbon economy during the event held at New Flyer’s recently expanded facility.
The initiative, named True North, materialized after New Flyer, a subsidiary of NFI Group, secured $38 million in funding from federal and provincial governments following its announcement of expansion plans in October 2024. Former NFI president and CEO, Paul Soubry, highlighted the transformation of True North from a project concept to a fully operational bus manufacturing facility.
The new facility has created approximately 250 jobs and is now the hub for designing, engineering, and constructing New Flyer’s Xcelsior hybrid-electric buses, providing opportunities for skilled workers and promoting domestic manufacturing capabilities.
NFI’s global headquarters in Winnipeg currently employs close to 3,000 Manitobans and supplies buses to various Canadian cities. The company’s strategic shift to complete bus assembly in Canada has allowed its U.S. plant to focus on meeting the demands of American customers, enhancing operational efficiency.
Addressing the challenges posed by the ongoing trade war, federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly underscored the significance of local production and the need for self-reliance in uncertain times. The emphasis on Canadian production enables New Flyer to leverage local resources, although some components must be sourced internationally due to industry constraints.
Despite certain restrictions, New Flyer is currently producing an average of 20 transit bus shells per week, with a distribution strategy that prioritizes Canadian destinations and fulfills U.S. market requirements separately. This approach ensures compliance with “buy American” regulations and optimizes production outputs for diverse markets.
As trade tensions rise, a Winnipeg company no longer has to finish building some of its buses in the United States. New Flyer is now fully designing, engineering and building transit buses in Canada that will be driven here.
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