By Caribbean News Global 
GUELPH, Ontario ― Premier Doug Ford and Vic Fedeli, minister of economic development, Job Creation and Trade announced, Tuesday, the Ontario government is investing $2.5 million through the Ontario Together Fund in Guelph-based Linamar Corp., to support the retooling of its assembly line to manufacture ventilator components to produce 10,000 Ontario-made e700 ventilators.
O-Two Medical Technologies partnered with Linamar Corp., and other partners, including Bombardier, to produce these lifesaving devices to enhance future preparedness and help patients with severe cases of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.
Kim Lassaline, chief executive officer, O-Two Medical Technologies, said: “O-Two Medical Technologies was eager to be part of the fight against COVID-19, which is why we partnered with Linamar and Bombardier to produce these essential ventilators. Our e700 ventilator has a proven track record and, together with the provincial government, we will continue to deliver this critical, life-saving equipment to the people of Ontario so that we are ready both now and in the future.”
Lindsay Fenton, general manager, Thunder Bay site, Bombardier Transportation, said: “We are proud to be assembling various components/sub-assemblies for these life-saving O-Two ventilators. This project has allowed us to recall almost 50 employees and keep these highly skilled workers employed during the hardest part of the pandemic. Having and maintaining our strong manufacturing presence in Ontario is critical, especially during these unpredictable times when Made-in-Ontario solutions matter now more than ever.”
“Ontario is the workshop of Canada, and it’s the creativity and ingenuity of enterprising companies like Linamar and O-Two that will make Ontario-made medical equipment known for quality and excellence across the country and around the world,” said Premier Ford. “By building homegrown capacity to make ventilators, we will never again have to rely on any other country for this critical piece of lifesaving medical equipment.”
Through the Ontario Together Fund, the government is delivering targeted investments that will increase the province’s stockpile of Ontario-made products and personal protective equipment (PPE). This new manufacturing capacity will enable the province to combat the current COVID-19 outbreak and prepare for potential challenges in the future, while supporting local businesses during the safe and gradual reopening of the province.
“Businesses like Linamar, O-Two Medical, and Bombardier have stepped up with solutions to help at a critical time,” said minister Fedeli. “Ontario’s economic recovery would not be possible without the collective efforts of everyone in every corner of this province. We applaud our world-class manufacturing sector for helping ensure the province has the Ontario-made solutions to respond to the needs now and any future emergency, should it arise.”
Linamar is a leading Ontario-based diversified advanced manufacturing company supplying the automotive, agriculture, and aerial work platform markets.
Linda Hasenfratz, chief executive officer, Linamar, said: “Linamar was proud to be part of the efforts to help supply Ontario’s frontline healthcare workers with needed equipment to save lives in our province. Our work on various ventilator projects gave our teams something very positive to focus on in a time frame when there weren’t many positive stories! I am very proud of our team and their rapid response in a matter of weeks to provide parts critical to the needs of our province.”
