Sunday, October 26, 2025

Canada’s Flagship EV Battery Plant Hit by Sudden Construction Worker Layoffs

Editors note: A prior version of this article’s headline did not reflect that these layoffs impacted construction works on site, rather than NextStar Energy employees. We have been informed that these layoffs did not impact NextStar Energy employees.

About 200 construction workers were laid off last week at Canada’s first large-scale electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant.

Sylvan Canada‘s operations vice president Eric Farron said Friday that close to 200 workers received orders to “immediately demobilize” Thursday night. The layoffs affected 145 millwrights and ironworkers, 45 electricians, and three pipe fitters.

The company behind the plant, NextStar Energy — a $5 billion partnership of Stellantis and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution — said the layoffs do not impact its workforce or operations.

“Change in works are a standard part of operations and reflect ongoing efforts to align project needs,” spokesperson Daniela Ferro said. She declined to specify what changes prompted the layoffs or whether they were temporary.

The layoffs come after the Windsor facility achieved a major milestone in October, becoming the first plant in Canada to produce battery modules for electric vehicles. The plant is not yet producing battery cells, which are currently shipped from LG Energy Solution’s facility in Poland. Cell production is expected to begin this fall.

Work on the 4.23 million-square-foot plant started in August 2022. When fully operational, the plant will have an annual production capacity of 49.5 gigawatt hours, enough to power 450,000 vehicles per year and meet 40% of Stellantis’ North American EV production needs.

The project required $15 billion in Canadian federal and provincial subsidies after construction briefly halted in 2023 when NextStar explored more attractive US incentives. 

The layoffs follow similar action across Canada’s emerging EV battery sector. Ford abandoned its $1.8 billion EV plan at Oakville in July 2024, switching to gasoline-powered pickup production instead, and Umicore continues to pause construction of its battery materials facility.

Mike Meloche, business agent for UA Local 527, which represents affected plumbers and steamfitters, said many workers were sent home Friday, with some told not to return until Wednesday.



Information for this story was found via the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

Video Articles

The Best News for Gold Was the Drop! – Peter Grandich

McEwen Copper: The Los Azules Feasibility Study

This Is Why the Gold Run Is Not Done! | Peter Marrone – Allied Gold

Recommended

Steadright Enters MOU To Acquire Historic Goundafa Polymetallic Mine In Morocco

Military Seizes Power in Madagascar After President Flees

Related News

Microsoft To Partner And Invest In GM’s Self-Driving Cruise

Microsoft today announced that it has entered into a long-term strategic relationship with GM and...

Tuesday, January 19, 2021, 03:52:00 PM

U.S. Imposes Higher Penalties on Automakers for Not Meeting Fleetwide MPG Standards, Tesla To Benefit

U.S. President Biden continues to go “all-in” on building up the electric vehicle (EV) industry....

Thursday, March 31, 2022, 04:04:00 PM

Nikola Motors: A Look Under The Hood

Nikola Corporation (NASDAQ: NKLA) has aggressively staked out a spot in the zero emissions shipping...

Tuesday, November 10, 2020, 12:13:00 PM

Study Questions the Operating Economic Advantages of Electric Vehicles Versus Gas-Powered Cars

On October 21, the consulting firm Anderson Economic Group issued a study comparing the costs...

Thursday, October 28, 2021, 03:45:00 PM

Apple Enters EV Market with Self-Driving Car, Breakthrough Battery Technology by 2024

It appears that Tesla has been dealt yet another blow following its not-so prosperous acclaim...

Saturday, December 26, 2020, 11:46:00 AM