No more public money for Lion Electric, Quebec government says

By Canadian Press on May 1, 2025.

MONTREAL — The Quebec government says it won’t invest more public money in Lion Electric, putting the electric-vehicle maker’s future in doubt.

Economy Minister Christine Fréchette said in a statement Wednesday evening that it wouldn’t be responsible to inject more government funds into the struggling company.

She said that while the province has a duty to support Quebec businesses, Lion’s recovery plan recently submitted to the government “did not justify” more public funding.

The company, headquartered in St-Jérôme, Que., sought creditor protection in December and has since been seeking a buyer.

Reports this week said a group of Quebec investors was interested in buying the company, which manufactured electric school buses and trucks, but needed $20 million in government aid — a proposal that was presented to Premier François Legault’s caucus this week.

The Quebec government has already invested $177 million in Lion Electric.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2025.

The Canadian Press