Thunder Bay's Bombardier plant will help manufacture 18,000 ventilators for hospitals across Ontario, starting at the end of April.

The medical devices, produced in conjunction with O-Two Medical Technologies Inc., will see sanding, painting, electrical and assembly of internal components take place at the Thunder Bay, Ont., plant.

"After several collaborative discussions and gaining a full understanding of what was needed to produce these life saving devices, it was clear that Bombardier's plant in Thunder Bay could play a sub-manufacturing role and help O-Two produce this critical medical equipment for the Government of Ontario," Bombardier said in a statement.

The work will take three to four months to complete, and provide work for 40 to 50 employees at the Thunder Bay plant. Three-quarters of those workers were previously laid off, the company said.

Bombardier credits Thunder Bay - Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski for connecting the local plant manager, David Black, with O-Two Medical Technologies in Brampton.

Bombardier said O-Two had its supply chain disrupted, and needed a company in Canada to help manufacture its portable ventilators.

The company said it had also donated PPE to long-term care homes in Ontario, as well as donating equipment to the Quebec government.