A $3.6 billion investment by Stellantis into Windsor Assembly Plant and the expansion of the company’s research and development centre on Rhodes Drive is being lauded by experts as a foundational game-changer for Windsor-Essex.
The investment promises 650 jobs and the automaker will build and operate a 100,000 square foot facility that will become a hub for battery testing and research in North America.
“It’s going to be state-of-the-art centre to accelerate our EV best in class performance,” said Stellantis North American chief operating officer, Mark Stewart at a media conference Monday.
“This is jobs for generations to come in a very high intensive industry, big innovation, these are jobs of today and jobs of tomorrow,” said Canada’s Liberal innovation minister, Francois Philippe Champagne.
According to Stewart, engineer and software developers will be in high demand.
“It’s a good time to be an engineer in Windsor,” quipped Peter Frise, who is part of the engineering faculty at the University of Windsor.
Frise founded the automotive engineering program at the university in 1997 when electric vehicle technology was in its infancy.
Today, the faculties at UWindsor and St. Clair College are furiously revamping their curriculum to match industry needs for the workforce of tomorrow. Not only are 650 people needed to work at the research centre by 2023, but Stellantis will also need 2,500 people working at its new electric vehicle battery plant when it comes online in 2024.
“There’s a need for an injection of new talent, new vision, new energy, and that’s a healthy thing,” Frise said, noting there’s a lot of work to be done and problems to solve to optimize battery technology.
He says pressing issues include increasing battery range, reducing weight, making best use of materials to build batteries and the creation of efficient manufacturing processes.
“There’s a huge amount of R&D to still be done to really make it as good as it needs to be,” Frise said.
It will all be done at the automaker’s Rhodes Drive location, mere kilometres from where the EV batteries and Stellantis vehicles will be built in Windsor.
“You add all these things together, the layering effect of these is just incredible and will pay dividends for decades to come in the City of Windsor,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.
Twenty-five per cent of Windsor’s workforce is directly employed by the auto industry, according to Frise, with many other jobs elsewhere in the economy depending on those jobs.
“Windsor’s place at the heart of the automotive renaissance is clear. Our place as the auto-mobility capital of Canada is strong,” said the mayor.
Not only does the investment re-position and future-proof the local auto industry, Frise notes the investment and work to be done will also put Windsor squarely on the map as a global automotive powerhouse.
“Those innovations will go around the world,” Frise said. “I hope that we’re able to tell the story that they’re Windsor innovations that they came from our community. They were done by our people and that’s very exciting.”
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 250 points in late-morning trading, led by strength in the base metal and technology sectors, while U.S. stock markets also charged higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 254.62 points at 23,847.22.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 432.77 points at 41,935.87. The S&P 500 index was up 96.38 points at 5,714.64, while the Nasdaq composite was up 486.12 points at 18,059.42.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.68 cents US compared with 73.58 cents US on Thursday.
The November crude oil contract was up 89 cents at US$70.77 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was down a penny at US2.27 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$9.40 at US$2,608.00 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents at US$4.33 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Losing a loved one is never easy, and the legal steps that follow can add even more stress to an already difficult time.
For years, families in Vancouver (and Canada in general) have struggled with a complex probate process—filled with paperwork and legal challenges.
Thankfully, recent changes to Canada’s probate laws aim to make this process simpler and easier to navigate.
Let’s unearth how these updates can simplify the process for you and your family.
What is probate?
Probate might sound complicated, but it’s simply the legal process of settling someone’s estate after death.
Here’s how it works.
Validating the will. The court checks if the will is legal and valid.
Appointing an executor. If named in the will, the executor manages the estate. If not, the court appoints someone.
Settling debts and taxes. The executor (and you) pays debts and taxes before anything can be given.
Distributing the estate. Once everything is settled, the executor distributes the remaining assets according to the will or legal rules.
Probate ensures everything is done by the book, giving you peace of mind during a difficult time.
Recent Changes in Canadian Probate Laws
Several updates to probate law in the country are making the process smoother for you and your family.
Here’s a closer look at the fundamental changes that are making a real difference.
1) Virtual witnessing of wills
Now permanent in many provinces, including British Columbia, wills can be signed and witnessed remotely through video calls.
Such a change makes estate planning more accessible, especially for those in remote areas or with limited mobility.
2) Simplified process for small estates
Smaller estates, like those under 25,000 CAD in BC, now have a faster, simplified probate process.
Fewer forms and legal steps mean less hassle for families handling modest estates.
3) Substantial compliance for wills
Courts can now approve wills with minor errors if they reflect the person’s true intentions.
This update prevents unnecessary legal challenges and ensures the deceased’s wishes are respected.
These changes help make probate less stressful and more efficient for you and other families across Canada.
The Probate Process and You: The Role of a Probate Lawyer
(Image: Freepik.com)
Working with a probate lawyer in Vancouver can significantly simplify the probate process, especially given the city’s complex legal landscape.
Here’s how they can help.
Navigating the legal process
Probate lawyers ensure all legal steps are followed, preventing costly mistakes and ensuring the estate is managed properly.
Handling paperwork and deadlines
They manage all the paperwork and court deadlines, taking the burden off of you during this difficult time.
Resolving disputes
If conflicts arise, probate lawyers resolve them, avoiding legal battles.
Providing you peace of mind
With a probate lawyer’s expertise, you can trust that the estate is being handled efficiently and according to the law.
With a skilled probate lawyer, you can ensure the entire process is smooth and stress-free.
Why These Changes Matter
The updates to probate law make a big difference for Canadian families. Here’s why.
Less stress for you. Simplified processes mean you can focus on grieving, not paperwork.
Faster estate settlements. Estates are settled more quickly, so beneficiaries don’t face long delays.
Fewer disputes. Courts can now honor will with minor errors, reducing family conflicts.
Accessible for everyone. Virtual witnessing and easier rules for small estates make probate more accessible for everyone, no matter where you live.
With these changes, probate becomes smoother and more manageable for you and your family.
How to Prepare for the Probate Process
Even with the recent changes, being prepared makes probate smoother. Here are a few steps to help you prepare.
Create a will. Ensure a valid will is in place to avoid complications.
Choose an executor. Pick someone responsible for managing the estate and discuss their role with them.
Organize documents. Keep key financial and legal documents in one place for easy access.
Talk to your family. Have open conversations with your family to prevent future misunderstandings.
Get legal advice. Consult with a probate lawyer to ensure everything is legally sound and up-to-date.
These simple steps make the probate process easier for everyone involved.
Wrapping Up: Making Probate Easier in Vancouver
Recent updates in probate law are simplifying the process for families, from virtual witnessing to easier estate rules. These reforms are designed to ease the burden, helping you focus on what matters—grieving and respecting your dead loved ones’ final wishes.
Despite these changes, it’s best to consult a probate lawyer to ensure you can manage everything properly. Remember, they’re here to help you during this difficult time.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was higher in late-morning trading, helped by strength in energy stocks, while U.S. stock markets also moved up.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 34.91 points at 23,736.98.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 178.05 points at 41,800.13. The S&P 500 index was up 28.38 points at 5,661.47, while the Nasdaq composite was up 133.17 points at 17,725.30.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.56 cents US compared with 73.57 cents US on Monday.
The November crude oil contract was up 68 cents at US$69.70 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up three cents at US$2.40 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was down US$7.80 at US$2,601.10 an ounce and the December copper contract was up a penny at US$4.28 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.
