Pre-election spending spree, $80M for reopening of Ford engine plant

Let the race begin! The election has yet to be called, but it looks like the Conservatives have already started to campaign with the announcement today of a financial aid package to reopen the Ford Motors plant in Windsor, Ontario.

900 people were put out of work last year when the plant was shutdown as part of a drastic cost control measure by Ford Canada. The plant produced the Essex engine, a V-6 model that has been declining in popularity as gas prices continue to increase. The plant will become a flexible facility able to produce a variety of engines.

A government contribution of 80 million dollars over the next five years will be awarded to the plant, the first hand out of the 250 million dollar automobile innovation fund that was set up by the government in the last federal budget. Todays announcement also included provisions for a research center to develop hybrid and alternative fuel trains.

Touted as "good news" by Windsor mayor Eddie Francis, the government grant is still contingent on conditions approval from Ford. The government of Ontario has also pledged 17 million in funds to reopen the plant. Prime Minister Harper denied allegations that the announcement was an exercise in pre-election posturing.