With the Yarmouth Yards industrial park serving as a backdrop, Ontario Premier Doug Ford called Thursday’s (Nov. 20) announcement of a $3.2 billion investment by Norwegian firm Vianode a historic milestone for southwestern Ontario and a major win for workers.The ceremonial ground-breaking was on the site of what will become a state-of-the-art synthetic anode graphite manufacturing facility that will initially result in 300 new, good-paying jobs.
Anode graphite is a critical component in electric vehicle batteries, nuclear reactors, semiconductors, aerospace and defence systems, steelmaking and other strategic industries.
The new facility will be an important step toward a resilient North American battery supply chain, stressed Vianode CEO Burkhard Straube.
“Ontario and Canada have built an impressive automotive value chain, including electromobility and an ecosystem for lithium-ion batteries. Just one important part, a real enabler, is missing.
“Or should I say, was missing.
“Our investment to produce synthetic graphite here in St. Thomas will address and solve both Western North American, Ontario and Canada challenges. Firstly, a resilient supply chain for a G7 critical mineral, and secondly, closing a gap in the automotive and EV value chain here in Ontario.”
Production is expected to begin in 2028, according to Emanuele Tricca, Vianode Canada managing director.
He added, “St. Thomas is exactly where we need to be – next to major manufacturing hubs and in a region with the skills set.”
St. Thomas has always hung its hat on the transportation sector as its economic backbone.
First it was railways, and now automotive.
Mayor Joe Preston noted the city is embracing a new chapter, one rooted in clean technology, innovation and sustainability. Allowing young people to remain in St. Thomas, thanks to an abundance of well-paying jobs.
“And we’re so proud for the citizens of St. Thomas to be able to recognize the generational change we’ve been able to do here in St. Thomas with the industries we’ve attracted, Vianode now being the newest and the most exciting.
“We’ve seen their facilities in Norway, we know what it can do in St. Thomas, and we know the generational change it will make to the employment of our youth in St. Thomas.”
So many grandparents have come up to me and said, ‘Mayor, you know what’s happened? You’ve made it where our kids can stay home, where our kids can work in a community where they grew up and buy a house in a community where they grew up.'”
Preston continued, “We are thrilled to welcome Vianode to our city and celebrate the skilled jobs and environmental progress this project brings to our community.”
The news that Vianode would locate its first North American synthetic graphite manufacturing facility in St. Thomas was one of 26 critical minerals investments announced by the federal government last month in Toronto.
Hamilton Mountain MP Lisa Hepfner emphasized that the plant will contribute to a robust North American supply chain.
“This facility being built here will contribute to a strong North American supply chain and is critical to all of our most strategic industries. And thanks to this partnership with the Government of Ontario and other international partners, this project and projects like this one will keep Canada competitive and keep Canada clean.
“Developing critical minerals right here in St. Thomas will help power clean energy. It will support industries that range from manufacturing to defence. And it’s just another example that Canada clearly has the resources, Canada has the critical minerals that the world wants
“This is how we build Canada strong,” added Hepfner.
“We do it together and with projects like these.”
The St. Thomas operation will be the largest synthetic graphite anode material plant in the western world and the most sustainable one worldwide, according to Straube.
“In a phased approach, starting with 35,000 tons production per year, we plan to build up to 150,000 tons annual material production, which is sufficient for approximately 3 million EVs.
“With economic uncertainty undermining global supply chains, Ontario continues to stand as the stable and reliable economic partner that our allies are looking for.”
“Initially, we will create approximately 300 highly qualified jobs, bringing additional employment and economic growth through ripple effects to the City of St. Thomas and the local communities.”
At full capacity, the plant will employ up to 1,000 workers.
Straube stressed, “We will be a proud and responsible citizen of St. Thomas and a member of the Ontario business community. We will be an important contributor and driver of building up a scientific network and competence centre for lithium-ion batteries, driving technology development and innovation.”
Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Rob Flack pointed out that the investment “shows the confidence global leaders have in our community and workforce.”
He continued, “Over the past years, it’s been exciting to see the number of companies expand and grow their roots right here in our community. Powerco, Element5, and now Vianode.
“These investments represent good-paying, sustainable local jobs. They generate positive ripple effects throughout our local economy, accelerating the demand for more housing, more critical infrastructure like water, wastewater, schools, and healthcare.”
Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Vic Fedeli advised, “With economic uncertainty undermining global supply chains, Ontario continues to stand as the stable and reliable economic partner that our allies are looking for.”
He added, “Since Premier Ford and our government were elected in 2019, we have landed $110 billion worth of foreign direct investment. But I only bring that up now because more than 10 per cent of it, Mayor Preston, is here.
“Between the Volkswagen site, Element5, and now Vianode, that accounts for 10 per cent of the entire foreign direct investment that we’ve achieved.”
And Premier Ford observed, “We’re working to build the most competitive, resilient, and self-reliant economy in the G7. We’ve cut $1.2 billion of red tape and regulations, and making sure that we cut 1.8 million working hours that they can reallocate those people to do jobs within their company rather than filling out mounds of government paperwork at all three levels.”He added, “With the tariffs and economic uncertainty taking direct aim at our economy, and a direct aim at every economy in the entire world, targeting workers and businesses, our government is doing everything we can to protect communities, businesses, people’s jobs, families, right across Ontario.
“And that’s why we’re doubling down on our more than $220 billion budget to build infrastructure right across our province. That includes right here in St. Thomas.”
To support Vianode’s investment, the province is providing a loan of up to $670 million, subject to a definitive agreement to support the site.
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BUSY AS USUAL (FOR NOW) AT LOCAL CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES
In this corner last week, we advised of the move to consolidate the province’s 36 conservation bodies down to a compact seven.
And included in the agenda for Monday’s (Nov. 17) meeting was a letter from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks requesting feedback on ways “to improve conservation authorities.”
The letter noted, “We are seeking feedback on proposed boundaries for the consolidation of Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into regional conservation authorities, and the criteria applied to inform the proposed boundaries.”
Furthermore, “The province’s decision on the number and configuration of regional conservation authorities will be finalized following further technical analysis and consideration of the feedback received during this consultation phase. The province is also planning to consult further, at a future date, on potential amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act and regulations under the Act, to enable the consolidation of conservation authorities.”
The letter assured that “the new regional conservation authorities would remain independent organizations operating with municipal governance and oversight, in accordance with requirements under the Conservation Authorities Act, as administered by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
“In addition, the important work that conservation authorities do to protect people and property from the risks of flooding and other natural hazards will not change. Regional conservation authorities would continue to deliver provincially mandated programs.”
Under the consolidation, much of southwestern Ontario would fall into the Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority, which would cover southwestern Ontario watersheds draining into Lake Erie, including the Thames, Grand, and Sydenham systems, supporting agriculture, industry, and shoreline communities. Primarily based on the Northern Lake Erie Secondary Watershed
“So we’re going to continue to deliver our existing programs, protecting people from our natural hazards, source water drinking protection and management of lands and recreational trails, including all our public access to our recreational areas and such.”
We spoke with Dusty Underhill, General Manager of the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority, who conceded the word ‘consolidation’ is certainly not music to his ears.
“So in this context, we have to trust, I guess, the provincial government to do what they do, work in conjunction with them to try and make it the best we can make it through the consolidation periods.
“There will be lots of commenting through Conservation Ontario, and I’m sure all the separate agencies. We’re working with our member municipalities to make these comments so everyone’s voice is heard, and I think right now that’s the best shot we have.”
What impact will consolidation have on educational programs like the annual maple syrup festival at Springwater Conservation Area?
“The province did recognize that we’re going to continue to deliver existing programs, even through the new organization, the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency, which is being proposed.
“So we’re going to continue to deliver our existing programs, protecting people from our natural hazards, source water drinking protection and management of lands and recreational trails, including all our public access to our recreational areas and such.
“So they’ve given us guarantees . . . that there would not be any layoffs, anything like that, and that people might see deployment (elsewhere). So what that means is yet to come. “
All of this, it would appear, is to remove as many impediments as possible to building more homes, faster.
“Again, we’ve seen different amendments to the Species at Risk Act. There’s been a lot of different acts that have seen amendments due to these, or I guess the Building Homes Faster Act in Ontario and other different bills that are through the Environmental Registry of Ontario right now.
“So there are, you know, there are changes happening, but we’re working progressively with these folks to try and maintain our stature on things.
“So again, our service delivery, we’re not lacking anything that way. The environment’s always first. People, places, and perspectives are always key in this industry, and we’ve got to keep moving forward.
“Again, we’re going to work with the province to make this the best agency it can possibly be.
“We’ve got four to five days of the environmental registry consultation. So we’re doing a lot of reviewing and commenting right now. And we’re going to try and move, I guess, with our best foot forward.
“Our focus will be to ensure that under any new framework, we can continue to deliver the same responsive, locally informed programs and services that our watershed communities depend on.”
“Our biggest thing, I guess, right now is we don’t want people to worry about anything, and we’re going to continue to operate without disruption and continue for the protection of public health and safety on our watershed basis.
“So all 36 conservation authorities have an umbrella organization called Conservation Ontario. So they’re working diligently right now with us for commenting and review. So we’ll be meeting often.
“They said councils and boards won’t change until the next election. So I guess it’s kind of business as usual as the messaging right now, until things progress further. So I guess we have just about as much as you have right now.
“I think we still remain one of Ontario’s best tools for balancing the urgent housing needs. And equally imperative of watershed protection and climate resilience as we spoke of earlier.
“I think they want to see a sharper focus, and they’re finding new ways to collaborate with municipalities and developers to ensure that growth remains rapid and resilient.
“And we recognize, I guess, that modern tools and modern challenges are there. We need to make processes more efficient. We’re investing in processes as conservation authorities. methodologies, online permitting portals.
“There are a lot of things changing right at the local level right now, so we’ve already taken, I guess, a step in this direction, but the province has taken the lead hand this time.
“Again, I think the key message for the public right now is not to worry, not to be in despair. We all know about as much as you do, and it’s business as usual at the local level.
“We don’t want a storm happening out there, right? That’s not where we’re at right now. It’s the time to just take things into perspective as a collective, take what we’re gonna learn from this and again try and make this the best organization possible.”
Meantime, at the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority (KCCA), General Manager Elizabeth VanHooren released a media statement noting that conservation authorities have always worked collaboratively with member municipalities to “champion local solutions that respect watershed boundaries.”
VanHooren continued, “With each reiteration of the Conservation Authorities Act, the KCCA has always emerged stronger and more resilient to the benefit of our local watershed residents, our municipalities, and our shared natural environment.
“Together with our member municipalities and board of directors, we will review the details of the province’s proposal to establish regional conservation authorities and provide thoughtful, evidence-based feedback.
“Our focus will be to ensure that under any new framework, we can continue to deliver the same responsive, locally informed programs and services that our watershed communities depend on.”
VanHooren assured, “In the meantime, it remains business as usual for watershed protection, permitting, and conservation area operations. KCCA will continue to deliver high-quality programs and services that protect people, property, and the environment.”
We have requested an interview, but have not heard back as of late Friday.
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FULL-BODY SCANNERS BEING STUDIED FOR STEGH
In the wake of a violent incident a week ago in the emergency department at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, the administration is exploring the use of additional security options.
On Nov. 9, police were called to the hospital when a man who had been discharged refused to leave and brandished a knife.
The situation was resolved without injury, and staff were praised “for their calm, decisive response.”
It is the latest reported incident in the past couple of years.
In August of this year, a 17-year-old became violent after arriving at the hospital via ambulance. They pulled the fire alarm, made threats toward hospital staff, and assaulted nurses attempting to provide treatment.
The youth allegedly assaulted three police officers and continued to threaten staff and first responders. Police and hospital personnel worked together to de-escalate the situation, ensuring the safety of staff, patients, and the public.
And in January of last year, a nurse was assaulted by an 18-year-old.
In a statement last week from Tonya Sheldon, hospital vice-president, she advised that they are monitoring hospitals that are running pilot programs involving full-body scanners.
She added that the results of those programs will help guide future decisions about safety at the hospital.
“At St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, we take safety and preparedness seriously,” stressed Sheldon. “Our security teams use body-worn cameras, introduced a few years ago to support de-escalation and help protect both staff and patients.
“We also recently completed a Code Silver simulation training exercise with the St. Thomas Police Service, which helped strengthen our readiness for situations like this.”
2026 BUDGET PROCESS UPDATE
Deliberations on the 2026 proposed city capital and operating budgets will begin next month, and during the Nov. 3 meeting, council members approved a couple of changes to the process.
The time period for council to propose amendments to the budget has been reduced to 12 days from 30 days.
And the time period for council to override the mayor’s veto of a budget amendment is now five days, down from 15.
And, this past week, Mayor Joe Preston shortened the time period within which the mayor may veto a resolution passed by council to amend the proposed 2026 operating and capital budgets from 10 days to two days.
Questions and comments may be emailed to City Scope
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And a reminder, I can be heard weekday afternoons as news anchor and reporter on 94.1 myFM in St. Thomas. As always, your comments and input are appreciated.
