Up to 200 jobs coming to St. Thomas
Another manufacturer has committed to expansion and nearly 200 new jobs in St. Thomas.
This time, it's Element5, a manufacturer of prefabricated wood structures.
Over the past five years, the business has boomed.
So much so, an addition - already being built - will take it from 130,000 to 350,000 sq. ft.
Outside of the new Volkswagen battery plant, it's the biggest news in the area.
Element5"This is massive. This will be the largest industrial investment that we've seen in St. Thomas in the last 20 years," shared Sean Dyke of St. Thomas Economic Development.
Element5, a manufacturer of prefabricated wood structures, in St. Thomas on June 21, 2024. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
It represents a $100 million commitment.
But the best news comes in the form of new jobs.
Within five years, the workforce will double or possibly even triple.
"We have our eyes on 300 people, in let's say, the next five to seven years. That kind of time frame," shared Element5 CEO Patrick Poulin.
Patrick Poulin is the CEO of Element5, seen on June 21, 2024. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
The news is yet another off-season 'Christmas present' for Mayor Joe Preston.
He is thrilled to see his community significantly rebound after a prolonged period of downturn in the 2010s.
Preston is also pleased to see another employer is working to diversify the economy.
“We've wanted to diversify for two decades, or three decades, here in St. Thomas, so that we couldn't be caught in a single industry depression. And we surely have made it where we're not. That is for sure," said Preston.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Southern California wildfire destroys many structures; governor declares state of emergency
A wildfire whipped up by extreme winds swept through a Los Angeles hillside dotted with celebrity residences Tuesday, burning homes and forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.
Trump is open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada; Trudeau responds
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 'there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,' on the same day U.S. president-elect Donald Trump declared that he’s open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada.
A B.C. mom's real-life nightmare and the search to find her trafficked daughter
A Vancouver island mom shares the story of what happened to her teenaged daughter – and a warning for other parents about sex trafficking.
Liberal leadership hopeful Frank Baylis noncommittal on eliminating consumer carbon tax
Liberal leadership hopeful Frank Baylis says eliminating the consumer carbon tax alone will not 'solve the affordability issue for Canadians.'
Canadian naval vessel shadowed by Chinese war ship in the East China Sea
CTV National News is on board the HMCS Ottawa, embedded with Canadian Navy personnel and currently documenting their work in the East China Sea – a region where China is increasingly flexing its maritime muscle. This is the first of a series of dispatches from the ship.
Patient dies in waiting room at Winnipeg hospital
An investigation is underway after a patient waiting for care died in the waiting room at a Winnipeg hospital Tuesday morning.
Limit coffee-drinking to this time window to lower early death risk, study suggests
Drinking coffee has repeatedly been linked with better heart health and prolonged life. But the benefits of coffee consumption could depend on when you drink it, new research has found.
B.C. 'childbirth activist' charged with manslaughter after newborn's death
A British Columbia woman who was under investigation for offering unauthorized midwifery services is now charged with manslaughter following the death of a newborn baby early last year.
Man who exploded Tesla Cybertruck outside Trump hotel in Las Vegas used generative AI, police say
The highly decorated soldier who exploded a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas used generative AI including ChatGPT to help plan the attack, Las Vegas police said Tuesday.
Kitchener
-
New details released in case against admitted doula defrauder in Ontario
A woman, who previously admitted to faking pregnancies and defrauding numerous doulas, has pleaded guilty again to similar crimes, committed while serving her sentence on the original set of charges.
-
Unsafe car pulled off the road in Waterloo, driver charged
The Waterloo Regional Police Service has shared details of an unusual traffic stop in Waterloo.
-
To amalgamate or not? Brant County and Brantford mayors pick sides
The mayors of Brant County and Brantford are at odds over the idea of amalgamation.
Barrie
-
Winter weather travel advisory issued for Simcoe County
Environment Canada has issued a weather advisory for parts of central Ontario.
-
Police warn about ‘aggressive text scam’ circulating locally
The Barrie police fraud unit is warning residents about an “aggressive text messaging scam” it says is circulating locally.
-
Suspect sought after overnight Midland gas station robbery
Police are searching for a suspect wanted in connection to a robbery at a Midland gas station.
Windsor
-
Police seize $20,000 in drugs, arrest employee at downtown magic mushroom shop
Windsor police seized $20,570 in illegal drugs and charged one individual after a raid at a downtown Windsor psilocybin dispensary on Monday afternoon.
-
Help needed after Wings Rehab Centre changes volunteer protocols amid avian flu concerns
In a post online, Wings Rehab indicated that effective this week, volunteers under the age of 18 are no longer permitted to assist at the animal rehabilitation facility, and that all adult volunteers are now required to have a current flu vaccination until further notice.
-
Detroit Lions acknowledging Windsor fans
The Lions-themed drone show will start at 7 p.m. on Jan. 10 and feature about 400 drones in the sky over the festival plaza and Detroit River.
Northern Ontario
-
Fatal crash between pickup, train in northern Ontario
The driver of a pickup truck has died following a collision with a train in northern Ontario on Tuesday morning.
-
Northeastern Ont. police lay 139 impaired driving charges in six weeks
Efforts to reduce impaired driving in northeastern Ontario appear to be working in some communities, but are still high as provincial police release results of their Holiday season sobriety checks.
-
Sault man charged in weekend stabbing
A 26-year-old man from Sault Ste. Marie has been charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon following a stabbing in the city over the weekend.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Provincial police investigating suspicious death on St. Joseph Island, near Sault Ste. Marie
Provincial police are investigating what they are calling "a suspicious death" on St. Joseph Island, near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
-
Sault man charged in weekend stabbing
A 26-year-old man from Sault Ste. Marie has been charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon following a stabbing in the city over the weekend.
-
Northern Ontario-based comedy series Shoresy announces Season 4 premiere date
The premiere date for Season 4 of Jared Keeso's original hit comedy series Shoresy has been announced along with the show's renewal for a fifth season.
Ottawa
-
Homeless man found 'frozen to death' in downtown Ottawa, councillor says
Somerset ward councillor Ariel Troster says she's "devastated" after a man sleeping in the streets of downtown Ottawa was found "frozen to death" on Monday.
-
Trump is open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada; Trudeau responds
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 'there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,' on the same day U.S. president-elect Donald Trump declared that he’s open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada.
-
Train vs. car: How long does it take to get from Limebank to Rideau?
It was another big day for passengers riding the new north-south LRT and with many looking to cut down on their commute CTV News Ottawa wanted to see if it’s faster to get from the south end to downtown by car or by train.
Toronto
-
Stabbing in North York leaves man with serious injuries
A stabbing in North York has left a man in his 50s seriously injured, Toronto police say.
-
Ontario launching rebates for energy efficient home renovations and upgrades
Ontario is introducing two new energy efficiency programs, including one offering rebates for certain home improvements.
-
3 people charged in shooting death of Quebec man near Woodbine Beach
Three people have been arrested in connection with a shooting near Woodbine Beach last summer that left a 21-year-old Quebec man dead.
Montreal
-
Seniors forced to leave Hochelaga-Maisonneuve retirement home early amid closure controversy
Seniors forced to leave Hochelaga-Maisonneuve retirement home early amid closure controversy
-
Quebec woman charged after allegedly abandoning newborn outside
A 38-year-old woman was charged after allegedly abandoning her newborn shortly after giving birth outside in Trois-Rivières on New Year's Day.
-
Quebecer who murdered partner, 2 children serving life sentence in men's prison
A Quebecer convicted of killing her spouse and two children is now serving a life sentence in a men's prison.
Atlantic
-
Halifax murder trial: Eyewitness describes fatal stabbing of 16-year-old boy
The murder trial for a Halifax-area youth accused of participating in the killing of a 16-year-old student last year heard today from an eyewitness to the fatal stabbing.
-
Trump is open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada; Trudeau responds
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said 'there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States,' on the same day U.S. president-elect Donald Trump declared that he’s open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada.
-
'A very good candidate': New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc a contender for next Liberal leader
A day after Justin Trudeau announced he was resigning as the federal Liberal leader and prime minister, speculation continues to swirl around who might replace him. Among the many possible contenders is New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc – a longtime cabinet minister and childhood friend of Trudeau.
Winnipeg
-
Patient dies in waiting room at Winnipeg hospital
An investigation is underway after a patient waiting for care died in the waiting room at a Winnipeg hospital Tuesday morning.
-
Manitoba regulator orders hike in auto premiums, calls for action on brain injuries
Manitobans will soon be paying more for basic automobile insurance.
-
'Unacceptable': Removal of beaver dam in Manitoba community sends surge downstream
The removal of a beaver dam in a rural Manitoba community is having some unintended consequences, sending a small flood downstream, catching residents off-guard.
Calgary
-
'Oh, it's concerning': Albertans react to Trump's comments on using 'economic force' to acquire Canada
Donald Trump's latest comments on Canada becoming the 51st state caught many Albertans off guard Tuesday, after the U.S. president-elect said he wouldn't use military power but was considering using economic force to make it happen.
-
Calgary city council receives fourth straight pay raise
Calgary city councillors are enjoying another pay bump, marking the fourth consecutive year of salary increases. As of Jan. 1, the mayor and councillors received a 3.07 per cent raise, bringing the total increase since 2022 to 9.5 per cent.
-
Parachute was not deployed in fatal southern Alberta glider crash: TSB
An investigation into a fatal glider crash in southern Alberta last year confirmed the pilot managed to get out of his aircraft, but his parachute failed to open.
Edmonton
-
Alberta business braces for looming U.S. tariffs, embraces potential opportunities because of them
While Alberta's trading future with the United States is uncertain given the imminent threat of punishing tariffs promised by incoming President Donald Trump, business leaders say there is reason for optimism the province could avoid extensive blowback given the importance of energy to Canada's neighbouring global superpower.
-
Oilers shut out Bruins in Boston for fourth win in a row
Adam Henrique scored twice, Stuart Skinner made 26 saves and the Edmonton Oilers won their fourth straight game, beating the Bruins 4-0 on Tuesday in Boston.
-
'It's really exhausting': What 1 councillor says could speed up Edmonton’s construction troubles
City Councillor Andrew Knack is looking for solutions to make the city’s construction in the west end more bearable for drivers.
Regina
-
Saskatchewan's teacher/student ratio becomes topic of debate as opposition sounds alarm
As those across the province await the verdict from binding arbitration between the province and the Sask. Teachers Federation (STF) – the Official Opposition is raising alarms over the teacher student ratio.
-
'Accessibility is the key': Breast cancer screening bus rolls into Weyburn
The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency's Breast Screening Bus has made its way to Weyburn, just in time for the beginning of new screening standards in the province.
-
Sask. man who withheld daughter to prevent COVID vaccination appeals conviction
A Saskatchewan father who was found guilty of withholding his daughter in contravention of a custody order is appealing his conviction.
Saskatoon
-
Crown challenges ruling in THC-impaired driving case where child was killed
The Crown has filed an appeal in a high-profile case involving the death of nine-year-old Baeleigh Maurice.
-
Chaos in Ottawa means uncertainty, opportunity for some Sask. industries
One day after the Prime Minister announced his intention to resign, observers are waiting to learn what a prorogued Parliament means for Saskatchewan.
-
These 90-year-old identical twins were born on a Saskatchewan farm, but grew to love the city
Rose Worona and Anne Skwarchuk were born in 1935 on a farm near Hafford. Now, they’re celebrating their 90th birthday together.
Vancouver
-
B.C. bird watcher’s ‘face feeder’ viral videos prompt caution from public health officials
An Abbotsford woman’s bird feeding videos are garnering millions of views online, but while the videos are going viral – public health experts are urging caution as Avian influenza still poses a risk to the region.
-
A B.C. mom's real-life nightmare and the search to find her trafficked daughter
A Vancouver island mom shares the story of what happened to her teenaged daughter – and a warning for other parents about sex trafficking.
-
4 generations on 1 lot: One family's creative response to B.C.’s housing crisis
A single lot in Delta, B.C., that used to be home to a single rancher built in the 80s is the site of four separate homes, housing four generations of the same family.
Vancouver Island
-
A B.C. mom's real-life nightmare and the search to find her trafficked daughter
A Vancouver island mom shares the story of what happened to her teenaged daughter – and a warning for other parents about sex trafficking.
-
'We're a rudderless ship': B.C. industry leaders bracing for Trump's impact
During a news conference Tuesday, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump didn't hold back in his message to Canada.
-
CRA to collect increased capital gains taxes despite proposed hike not being passed into law
The Canada Revenue Agency expects Canadians to adhere to a proposed capital gains tax increase – despite the fact the measure may never be passed into law.
