Wednesday, August 20, 2025
The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto have given the TTC the go-ahead to pursue a single-source contract for new Line 2 subway trains with Alstom Transport Canada Inc.
“To build the strongest economy in the G7, we need to ensure our investments are protecting jobs and championing industries right here in Canada. By partnering with Ontario, Toronto and the TTC, we are delivering reliable, affordable and sustainable public transit, and supporting good-paying jobs in Canada. We can all feel proud that these trains will be built for Canadians by Canadians,” said Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.
The current competitive process for the trains has been cancelled and all bidders have been notified.
“Our government is proud to protect Ontario from U.S tariffs by ensuring the TTC’s Line 2 subway trains will be made in Ontario, by Ontario workers. Working with our federal and municipal partners, we’ll continue to support Ontario workers and businesses while investing $70 billion in the largest subway expansion in Canadian history,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation.
To ensure that Alstom delivers state-of-the-art trains at a fair market price, maximizes the creation of Canadian jobs, and benefits Toronto, Alstom must:
• deliver a product that is compliant with the TTC’s original requirements;
• maximize Canadian content and create Canadian jobs;
• have its pricing subject to an independent third-party market price assessment.
“This is a great victory. Unifor fought long and hard to get the federal, provincial and municipal governments to get on board and support a Made-in-Canada solution,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “We must use our Canadian procurement dollars to support Canadian workers and Canadian-made products, especially given the current trade war.”
It is expected that negotiations will occur over the next few months with a report back to the TTC Board on the status of negotiations by the end of the year.
The base procurement is for 70 six-car train sets in total: 55 trains, jointly funded by the federal, provincial and city governments to replace aging trains on Line 2; and 15 trains for the Yonge North and Scarborough extensions. The contract would include options to procure additional trains to meet future needs when funding is committed and subject to Alstom’s performance.
“Torontonians need fast and reliable transit. With our Line 2 subway cars coming to the end of their lifespan, we’re partnering with Provincial and Federal governments to buy new trains to keep TTC riders moving. Together, we’re building a better transit system and supporting Canadian workers and jobs in this challenging trade climate,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.
Featured image: Unifor Local 1075 members at Alstom in Thunder Bay will build new TTC subway trains. (CNW Group/Unifor)
