Minister Morneau Welcomes New ABB Research and Development Centre in Montréal

May 24, 2017 – Montréal, Quebec – Department of Finance Canada

Canada is home to one of the most well-educated and highly skilled workforces in the world, and Canadians are at the forefront of transformative discoveries and solutions that are reshaping how people live.

With the launch of a new, state-of-the-art centre for research and development by Swiss engineering firm ABB, Canadians will help develop next-generation solutions in areas that include electric vehicles, robotics, and solar and wind power.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau attended the launch of this new facility alongside Ulrich Spiesshofer, President and Chief Executive Officer of ABB.

The new Montréal headquarters will maintain 700 jobs and consolidate ABB's research and development, manufacturing, assembly and testing facilities under one roof. The new facility will also house the company's North American Centre for Excellence in e-Mobility, which will focus on developing energy-management solutions for electric buses and trains.

Moreover, the centre will offer opportunities for learning and partnerships between industry and post-secondary institutions, helping Canadians acquire new knowledge and develop new expertise in these cutting-edge fields.

Confident, ambitious countries like Canada know that investing in the skills and talents of its people is the surest way to take advantage of the opportunities and jobs that come with global investment.

Today's launch signals that Canada is sending the right message to leading global companies, and that the skills, talent and diversity of Canadians are both recognized and in high demand.

It also demonstrates that Canada is on the right path with the Innovation and Skills Plan, which aims to make Canada a world-leading centre for innovation—one that drives economic growth, leads to better skills, jobs and opportunities for all Canadians, and helps strengthen and grow the middle class.