St. Clair Township has been shortlisted as a possible site for construction of a $3-billion electric battery plant, but won’t be selected unless the federal government steps up, says Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu.
Speaking at a luncheon Friday with local business leaders, Gladu said she has pitched both Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, and Francois–Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, for federal assistance she says will cement a deal with an unnamed electric battery manufacturer.
At issue is not a need for federal incentives, but financial assistance to expand the capacity of St. Clair Township’s waste water treatment system, according to Gladu.
Once a new Diageo Crown Royal plant is built, the municipality’s treatment system will be operating at 90%, she said. “So it’s going to take $25 million to fix that problem…and I’ve asked the ministers to contribute.”
Gladu said she met with both Champagne and Fraser in early February and has not received an answer on the funding question yet.
She said she could not provide details on the plant proposal but said the company is considering other locations in Canada and in other countries.
The lack of capacity of St. Clair’s waste water treatment system is a critical issue but Gladu said she believes it’s the only one impeding the company’s decision to locate here.
“It’s the only barrier that I can see at this point,” she said.
Gladu said she made a case to the federal ministers for federal funding, pointing out that the Canadian government is providing $19 billion for the Stellantis EV battery plant in Windsor, and another $14 billion for the Volkswagen plant in St. Thomas.
“All we need is a commitment from the federal government that they are willing to put forward $25 million. Compared to the billions of dollars being spent (elsewhere), it’s a very small commitment,” she said.
“For $25 million, they would have someone who wants to come here and build a $3 billion plant and create jobs without any government intervention.”
Gladu said discussions between the electric battery manufacturer, the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership and St. Clair Township are continuing.
“We are still in the game to get that plant,” she said. “But we need an answer from the government.”
Gladu was guest speaker at a Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Best Western Guildwoon Inn, Friday, where about 50 people were in attendance.