P.E.I. cancels plans to buy new electric school buses amid Lion Electric's financial troubles
CBC
The P.E.I. government has halted plans to purchase more electric school buses due to the financial uncertainty surrounding Lion Electric, the company that manufactures most of the vehicles for the province.
The Quebec-based manufacturer entered creditor protection last month after struggling to repay debts.
P.E.I. Education Minister Rob Lantz said the province recently cancelled its latest request for proposals for new electric school buses, as Lion Electric was the sole bidder.
"We'll get back to a normal procurement and, you know, down that pathway to net zero by 2040 when we've got more confidence in those buses," Lantz told CBC News.
P.E.I. began transitioning its school bus fleet to electric vehicles in 2021, starting with 12 buses. The fleet has since grown to about 100 electric buses, part of a $40-million shared initiative between the provincial and federal governments.
Despite Lion Electric's financial troubles, Lantz said the company has assured the province that it will continue to service and maintain the existing fleet. In the meantime, the province has had to return to fossil fuels.
"We have recently purchased a small number of diesel buses," Lantz said. "We've got to operate a school transportation system."
Marie-Ève Labranche, a spokesperson for Lion Electric, said in an email to CBC News that the company remains committed to assisting customers with maintenance and servicing.
"At this stage, Lion is not being liquidated, but is rather undertaking various restructuring measures, including a sale and investment solicitation process, in a stable and structured environment," the statement reads.
"PEI will be able to continue making their warranty repairs following the same claims process."
Robert Geiss, president of CUPE Local 1145, which represents more than 300 school bus drivers in P.E.I., said he's also heard about Lion Electric's assurances.
"There's talk of Lion being bought out by other bus companies. If that happens, we've been told that they'll honour any of the warranties, so that won't affect us too much," Geiss said.
However, Geiss said he's concerned whether the company has enough mechanics to service the buses.
Lion recently announced temporary layoffs for 150 workers across Canada and the United States as part of its creditor protection process. This follows four waves of layoffs earlier in 2024.
A New Brunswick tenant says he’s being pushed out of his rented bungalow as retribution for complaining about his landlord, but his landlord says she’s the victim of an unfair tenancy tribunal ruling that is preventing her from using the unit to house family.
Snow and freezing rain could affect morning commutes on Tuesday, according to a special weather statement issued by Environment Canada.
Daniel Jolivet, 68, had his first taste of freedom this weekend after spending the last 33 years behind bars.
Peguis First Nation is suing former chief Glenn Hudson over allegations he failed to act in the best interest of the band and financially benefitted from breaches of duty — including claims that he enriched himself, his family and supporters.
The Saskatchewan NDP's pace in 2025 has been frenetic.
If you’re ever walking down this east Hamilton neighbourhood during the holiday season, there’s a festive house that just might grab your attention.
It was just a few months ago that U.S. President Donald Trump told the world he doesn’t want Canadian cars.
Flu cases across Canada are on the rise and may push hospitals to their limits over the holidays and into the new year, leading health officials in regions across the country to warn people not to visit emergency rooms unless it's absolutely necessary.
More than 30 years after Canada's military allowed women to serve in combat roles, it's now specifically designing uniforms and body armour to fit their bodies.
The holiday season has arrived in Thunder Bay, and that means reduced hours, or closures, for businesses, city offices, and other amenities.
As Toronto’s food scene continues to grow, some in the industry say the pool of professional chefs hasn’t kept up with demand.
Police have charged a truck driver from the Hamilton area in a hit-and-run crash that killed a tow truck operator who had been stopped while helping a driver on the side of Highway 401 outside Woodstock, Ont.
Power has been restored to most of Haines Junction after a problem earlier on Monday at the local generating station.