Opposition leaders at the Quebec legislature on Tuesday called on the government to be more transparent about its agreement with the Swedish manufacturer.

Swedish electric vehicle battery manufacturer Northvolt says construction of a $7-billion plant on Montreal's South Shore will proceed as planned, despite announcing on Monday its intention to lay off 1,

The Quebec government says it has received assurances that the Northvolt AB electric vehicle battery plant under construction at Saint-Basil-le-Grand, on Montreal’s South Shore, won’t see any immediate job losses after the Stockholm-based manufacturer announced it is laying off about one-fifth of its global work force.

Swedish battery maker Northvolt will lay off 1,600 employees in Sweden, a fifth of its workforce, as it seeks to “focus all energy and investment on (its) core business” amid financial difficulties.

The heat is rising for Quebec Premier François Legault as opposition parties demand answers about his government's investment in the planned Northvolt battery factory near Montreal.

Quebec Premier François Legault is under pressure over his government's investment in a planned battery factory near Montreal, as Swedish manufacturer Northvolt cuts costs following a slowdown in demand for electric vehicles.