Making it in Ontario

Is your knowledge of Canada’s automotive industry up to date? The Trillium Network has crunched the numbers and reports on how vehicle production, assembly plant employment, and labour productivity have evolved since 2016. In this episode, the report’s authors, Brendan Sweeney and Greg Keenan, unpack the stats and discuss the driving forces behind them. They conclude with three policy recommendations that we hope to see in the federal government’s forthcoming automotive strategy.

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Trillium Network’s New Automotive Industry Bulletin

01:34 Reasons Behind the Report's Timing

03:07 Key Findings on Vehicle Production

07:49 Impact on Employment and Productivity

12:58 Federal Automotive Strategy and Recommendations

17:02 Impact of Chinese Auto Imports and Consumer Choices

Read the Trillium Network Data Bulletin

1. The Road Behind Is Not the Road Ahead: What a Decade of Data Tells Us About Canada's Automotive Future https://trilliummfg.ca/data-bulletin/the-road-behind-is-not-the-road-ahead/

Find Out More About Trillium

1. Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
2. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
3. X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
4. Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
5. Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
6. Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

As Canada’s auto industry faces fresh uncertainty, an old story from New Brunswick suddenly feels very current. In this episode, host Brendan Sweeney and guest host Greg Keenan sit down with Dimitry Anastakis, a University of Toronto professor and the author of Dream Car, a book about the history of the New Brunswick-built Bricklin SV1. Dimitry details the fascinating yet tumultuous journey of the Bricklin in the 1970s, why it was a failure with important lessons, and how we can apply those lessons to the startup and sustainability of a Canadian car company today. Dimitry also reflects on the Trillium Network’s Shifting Gears report and shares his vision for what a uniquely Canadian car should look like.

00:00 Introduction and Previous Episode Recap

00:52 Introducing the Guest: Dimitry Anastakis

02:43 Dimitry's Background and Academic Journey

04:13 Writing ‘Dream Car’: More than a Simple Case Study

08:41 Why Dimitry Thinks a Canadian Car is Feasible

09:50 The Future of Canadian Car Manufacturing

15:44 The Challenge of Sustaining a Car Company

25:35 Parallels Between Bricklin and Tesla

30:26 Why Dimitry Was Less Pessimistic After Reading the Trillium Network’s Report

45:46 What Dimitry Thinks a Canadian Car Should Look Like

Read the Trillium Network Report

1. Shifting Gears: The Potential for a Canadian Car Company trilliummfg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/January-5-Shifting-Gears_TrilliumNetwork.pdf

Find Out More About Dimitry Anastakis

1. Dimitry Anastakis University of Toronto Profile history.utoronto.ca/people/directories/all-faculty/dimitry-anastakis
2. Dream Car: Malcolm Bricklin’s Fantastic SV1 and the End of Industrial Modernity utppublishing.com/doi/book/10.3138/9781487555825#generate-pdf
3. The North American Auto Industry since NAFTA utorontopress.com/9781487527372/the-north-american-auto-industry-since-nafta

Find Out More About Trillium

1. Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
2. Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
3. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
4. X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
5. Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
6. Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
7. Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

As we enter a new year where Canadian economic sovereignty is a top priority and our automotive industry faces an uncertain future, discussions have been heating up about the prospect of a truly Canadian car company. With insights from the report’s co-authors, Brendan Sweeney and Greg Keenan, this episode unpacks a new Trillium Network report that provides insight into the feasibility of a Canadian car company, who might be involved, and how Canada’s auto-making expertise could be turned into a commercially-viable OEM.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:58 Special Guest Host Introduction

03:14 Why a Canadian Car Company is a Hot Topic

06:54 Does Canada Already Have a Car Company?

16:59 Turning Auto-Making Expertise Into a Commercially-Viable OEM

26:05 How Governments Can Help

32:55 Likely Company Structure and Partners

40:23 Biggest Challenges

41:41 Leveraging Canada’s Strengths in Automation and Nuclear

Highlighted Links

1. Trillium Network: Shifting Gears: The Potential for a Canadian Car Company trilliummfg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/January-5-Shifting-Gears_TrilliumNetwork.pdf
2. Wired: That Disastrous Car Homer Simpson Designed Was Actually Ahead of Its Time

wired.com/2014/07/homer-simpson-car/

1. Magna Torrero: magna.com/company/company-information/facts-history/magna-torrero

Find Out More About Trillium

1. Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
2. Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
3. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
4. X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
5. Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
6. Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
7. Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

This episode of 'Making it in Ontario' unpacks a new data bulletin by the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing that examines claims that the canola industry contributes $43 billion worth of GDP to Canada's economy, more than the automotive, steel, and aluminum sectors combined. Hosts Michelle Samson and Brendan Sweeney discuss the flawed methodology that generated that total, how the Trillium Network generated a more accurate number, and the importance of responsible advocacy.

• 00:14 A New Narrative About Canola’s Economic Contributions
• 01:22 Debunking the Canola Report
• 03:15 Investigating the Canola Report’s Methodology
• 06:13 Trillium’s Methodology and Findings
• 10:23 Responsible vs. Irresponsible Advocacy
• 11:55 Podcast Updates and Reminders

Highlighted Links

• Trillium Network: Cars & Canola: The Economic Contributions of Two Trade-Impacted Industries https://trilliummfg.ca/data-bulletin/cars-canola-canadas-trade-powerhouses/
• The Globe and Mail: Auto sector’s benefits outweigh canola industry’s, Ontario think tank says https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-auto-sectors-benefits-outweigh-canola-industrys-ontario-think-tank/
• National Post: New report challenges canola's $43-billion contribution to GDP https://financialpost.com/commodities/energy/electric-vehicles/report-challenges-canola-43-billion-contribution-gdp?itm_source=index
• St. Thomas Downtown Oktoberfest: https://downtownoktoberfest.weebly.com/

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

PowerCo Canada is about to start construction on its massive $7 billion EV battery plant in St. Thomas, which means a major recruitment campaign is underway. In this episode of Making it in Ontario, we sit down with Norman Wickboldt, PowerCo Canada’s CHRO, for a deep dive into the hiring plans—including what types of skills will be needed (and when), the differences between working in an EV battery plant versus a traditional vehicle assembly plant, and how PowerCo Canada is building a robust talent pipeline for the future.

• 00:00 Introduction to Making it in Ontario
• 04:56 Norman's Background and Career Journey
• 11:18 First Impressions of Canada and Working With St. Thomas
• 15:48 Working in an EV Battery Operation vs a Traditional Vehicle Assembly Plant
• 17:51 Recruitment Scale and Timing
• 20:36 Who Should Apply and How to Prepare
• 24:08 Types of Opportunities Available Now and in the Near Future
• 25:47 PowerCo Canada’s Strategy To Build a Robust Talent Pipeline
• 29:07 PowerCo’s Values and Culture
• 33:44 Future of Work in Advanced Manufacturing

Highlighted Links

• PowerCo Careers in St. Thomas: https://careers.powerco.de/go/St_-Thomas/9527301/
• Making it in Ontario Season 11, Episode 4 with Sean Dyke, “Why PowerCo Invested $7 Billion in St. Thomas, ON” https://player.captivate.fm/episode/21f19b80-993d-4ca5-8020-e229493921e3/

Find Out More about PowerCo

• Website: powerco.de
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/powerco-se
• Facebook: facebook.com/PowerCoOfficial
• Instagram: instagram.com/powerco_se

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

The Downsview Aerospace Innovation & Research (DAIR) Hub is working to advance Canada’s global aerospace industry through collaboration. In this episode, DAIR’s executive director Phil Arthurs shares insights into Ontario's aerospace industry and how programs like its Green Fund and Supplier Development Initiative are catalyzing innovation within it. Phil highlights the importance of aerospace to Ontario's economy, underlines why being in the same room is key for collaboration, and extends an invitation to the organization’s flagship event, DAIR to Innovate, on October 23, 2025.

• 00:00 Introduction to Making it in Ontario
• 02:17 Phil's Career Journey and DAIR's Evolution
• 11:04 DAIR's Green Fund and Supplier Development Initiative
• 18:09 The Pan-Canadian Aerospace Industry
• 20:09 How to Bring Industry and Academics Together
• 22:56 The Importance of Physical Spaces for Collaboration
• 24:39 Preview of DAIR to Innovate 2025
• 29:30 Where Ontario’s Aerospace Industry is Heading
• 37:10 Navigating This Dynamic Trade, Investment and Labour Force Environment

Highlighted Links

• DAIR to Innovate 2025 Event Page: dairhub.com/dair-to-innovate-2025-event/
• “DAIR: Workforce Development” (Phil’s previous episode of Making it in Ontario): soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past/047-spyro-cacoutis-michelle-decoste-aerospace-workforce-development?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
• “NordSpace: Unlocking Canada’s Access to Space” player.captivate.fm/episode/6e4c0b9a-b295-4fc6-9bc7-3f4cd593f081

Find Out More about DAIR

• Website: dairhub.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dairhub
• Instagram: instagram.com/dairhub
• Facebook: facebook.com/DAIRHub

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

Canada’s automotive sector has changed. In this episode, we sit down with David Adams, President and CEO of Global Automakers of Canada (GAC), to discuss a new report from the Trillium Network revealing how much Toyota, Honda, and other members of the Global Automakers of Canada are contributing to Canada’s automotive manufacturing sector, and what industry stakeholders and policymakers need to know to protect one of the country’s most important sectors during this dynamic moment in time.

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:34 Report Highlights: Importance of Global Automakers
• 04:33 David Adams' Background and Role of GAC
• 09:08 Quantifying the Impact of GAC Members and Debunking Long-held Assumptions
• 12:20 Most Surprising Findings
• 13:50 Differences in Business Practices Around the World 
• 18:43 Response to the Report So Far
• 21:26 What Policymakers and Industry Stakeholders Need To Know

Highlighted Report

• The Economic Contributions of Global Automakers to Canada’s Economy: globalautomakers.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025-economic-contributions-report-en.pdf

Find Out More about Global Automakers Canada

• Website: globalautomakers.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/globalautomakers/

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

Ontario’s craft brewing industry boomed in the 2010s, rising from  50 breweries in 2010 to more than 350 today. Todd Lewin had a front row seat for it, and helped Muskoka Brewery scale into one of the leading Canadian-owned breweries in Ontario. In this episode, Todd discusses his beer career journey from selling Molson to leading Muskoka Brewery, the brewery’s evolving strategy as demand for beer has plateaued, and where he expects the industry to go from here.

• 00:00 Introduction to Ontario's Manufacturing Sector and Muskoka Brewery
• 04:30 Todd Lewin's Career Journey
• 07:33 Mergers, Acquisitions, and the Rise of Ontario's Craft Beer Industry
• 12:26 Muskoka Brewery's Growth and Strategy
• 17:42 Leadership and Challenges in the Brewing Industry
• 20:04 Investing in Growth
• 23:19 Ontario’s Craft Brewing Ecosystem
• 29:03 Tapping Into Evolving Consumer Demands: Beer, RTD, and Non-Alcoholic
• 39:58 The Future of Ontario's Craft Beer Industry

Find Out More about Muskoka Brewery

• Website: muskokabrewery.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/muskokabrewery
• Facebook: facebook.com/muskokabrewery
• Instagram: instagram.com/muskokabrewery
• TikTok: tiktok.com/@muskokabrewery

Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing Reports on Craft Brewing

• Good Things Brewing: Ontario’s Craft Beer Industry, 2010-2019 (June 2020) https://trilliummfg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trillium_CraftBeerReport-June2020.pdf
• Ontario’s Craft Brewing Industry: Contributions, Community, and the Challenges Ahead (June 2022) https://trilliummfg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Ontario-Craft-Brewing-Industry-Report-2022.pdf

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

Ed Atwell is disrupting the donut business. His shop in Almonte, Ontario, Healthy Food Technologies uses its own patented machinery to produce a superior donut that also happens to have less fat. In this episode, Ed talks about honing his baking skills at Country Style and Tim Hortons before striking out on his own as a donut consultant and inventor. We discuss the rise and fall of Tim Hortons’ donuts, what makes his donuts different, and what small food producers and inventors should know about patents and getting into major grocers.

• 00:00 Welcome to Season 12 of Making it in Ontario
• 00:54 Introducing Ed Atwell: The Donut Disruptor
• 03:37 Ed's Journey into the Donut Business
• 08:15 The Rise and Fall of Tim Hortons' Donuts
• 13:19 Inventing and Patenting the Sunny Moon Donut
• 19:59 Getting a Niche Product into a Large Grocery Store
• 21:12 The Science Behind Low-Fat Donuts
• 29:40 Innovative Donut Flavours at HFT
• 32:05 Advice for Food Industry Innovators

Find Out More about Healthy Food Technologies

• Facebook: facebook.com/HFTinc
• Instagram: instagram.com/hft.donuts/?hl=en
• Globe and Mail article, Meet the doughnut disruptor of Almonte, Ontario: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-meet-the-doughnut-disruptor-of-almonte-ontario/

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.

In the Season 11 finale, we recap standout moments from Making it in Ontario’s broadest and deepest season yet. With 18 episodes full of insights, it was a challenge to only pick 10 clips, so we narrowed the highlights down to two themes: exciting new manufacturing technologies being developed in Ontario, and the competitive advantages that Ontario offers to manufacturers and manufacturing technology companies. 

• 00:00 Catching Up and Setting the Stage
• 03:17 Mosaic Manufacturing’s Mitch Debora on the Rapid Evolution of 3D Printing
• 06:54 NordSpace’s Rahul Goel on Using 3D Printing to Push Boundaries
• 08:06 Innovative Group’s Mike Lalonde on Turning Custom Fab Into a Branded Product
• 10:15 Hydrocool’s Will Harney on Why Automotive R&D is Important
• 14:23 Virtualware’s Mike Rosas on Using XR/AR to Train EV Battery Plant Workers
• 17:37 Frontier Lithium’s Trevor Walker on Building an EV Battery Supply Chain in Ontario
• 20:41 OmniaBio’s Mitchel Sivilotti on Learning from Toyota
• 23:43 Acerta Analytics’ Greta Cutulenco on the Benefits of Being in Waterloo Region
• 25:48 Alps Welding’s Dennis Dussin on the Strength of the GTHA Cluster
• 28:43 NordSpace’s Rahul Goel on the Benefits of Being in York Region
• 29:33 Conclusion and Season 12 Preview

Listen to the Full Conversations

• Mosaic Manufacturing - Ep 14 - How 3D Printing Is Reshoring Supply Chains
• NordSpace - Ep 6 - NordSpace: Unlocking Canada’s Access to Space
• Innovative Group - Ep 9 - Innovative Group: Advice From a Hannover Veteran
• Hydrocool - Ep 17 - Hydrocool: Boosting a Hydrogen-Powered Future in Ontario
• Virtualware - Ep 5 - Virtualware: 3D Tech Across the Manufacturing Value Chain
• Frontier Lithium - Ep 15 - Frontier Lithium: A Critical Link in the EV Supply Chain
• OmniaBio - Ep 13 - Biomanufacturing 101 With OmniaBio
• Acerta Analytics - Ep 8 - Acerta Analytics: Improving Manufacturing Quality With AI
• Alps Welding - Ep 12 - A Small Manufacturer’s View on Tariffs and Diversification

Find Out More About Trillium

• Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
• Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
• X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
• Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
• Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
• Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.