Strengthening Our Domestic Supply Chain
Partnering with the Federal government and 3M Canada to produce N95 masks right here at home
Ontario is the workshop of Canada, and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have unleashed our world-class manufacturing might to meet the PPE demands for health care professionals and frontline workers.
As we continue planning for the future, our PC government was pleased to announce today, alongside the federal government, that we are partnering with 3M Canada to expand its Brockville, Ontario manufacturing facility to produce made-in-Ontario N95 respirators.
“In the face of a global pandemic, I vowed as Premier that we would do everything we can to get the essential supplies we need to protect our heroic healthcare and frontline workers in the province,” said Doug Ford, MPP for Etobicoke North and Premier of Ontario. “Ontario is a manufacturing powerhouse and our joint investment with the federal government and 3M Canada shows we can make the best N95 respirators anywhere in the world to supply our frontline heroes here in Ontario and right across Canada.”
Both levels of government are investing $23.33 million to support 3M’s capital investment of $70 million. The expanded facility will produce 50 million respirators annually to meet current domestic demand and will help create more jobs, ensure a stronger supply chain by reducing our dependence on overseas supplies, and enhance future preparedness.
This partnership with 3M is an important step in meeting current and future needs and ensuring a readily available stockpile of N95 masks. This investment is essential in the creation of new manufacturing capabilities, new jobs, and a strengthened domestic supply chain for vital PPE as Ontario continues on its path economic recovery.
By continuing to work together to find solutions with the help of the business and manufacturing sector – we will beat this virus and be ready for any future challenges we may face.