Positioning Canada's Automotive Industry as a Leading Destination for Growth and Innovation

DETROIT, MI, Jan. 11, 2017 ;The Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC), met today, during the North American International Auto Show, in Detroit, to discuss the growth and competitiveness of Canada's automotive industry. CAPC members were joined by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the Honourable Brad Duguid, Ontario's Minister of Economic Development and Growth, and Deputy Minister Jocelin Dumas, Quebec's Deputy Minister of the Economy, Science and Innovation.

At the meeting, Mr. Ray Tanguay, Automotive Advisor to the Governments of Canada and Ontario, reported on his ongoing activities to promote Canada as a valued jurisdiction for manufacturing and developing new technologies. Mr. Tanguay continues to develop Canada's value proposition for investments in the automotive industry. Recognizing the work by Mr. Tanguay, CAPC also discussed key issues to address ongoing competitiveness challenges and priority recommendations focusing on advanced technology, attracting talent and growing the automotive industry.   

"It is imperative that we keep people passionate about the future of automotive and the role our country can play in it," said Don Walker, Magna CEO and Chairman of CAPC. "Keeping manufacturing strong in Canada and building its innovation economy should be priority number one for government, industry, labour and academia."

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, the Honourable Navdeep Bains stated that "the federal government's support for innovation in the auto sector is a key part of our plan to create better jobs, opportunities and living standards for all Canadians. We invest in automotive innovation as a full and active partner to secure and create jobs in the sector across the country. We also leverage that support to attract additional investments that build on the sector's technological and engineering strengths. These efforts will allow Canada to maintain its position as a global innovation leader as it designs and produces the cars of the future."

Following the meeting, Minister Brad Duguid commented, "We're seeing tremendous momentum in the Canadian/Ontario auto sector — more than $2 billion in new investment in the past several months alone. Meanwhile, Ontario-based engineering talent, both within the auto industry, and across the broader technology sector, is at the forefront of connected, autonomous and alternative fuel technologies. I want to commend CAPC for its leadership in boosting collaboration between industry, government, labour and academia that is driving innovation and growth across the Great Lakes auto cluster."

Looking ahead in 2017, CAPC agreed on the continued importance for all stakeholders (government, industry, labour and academia) to be actively involved in measures for growing Canada's automotive footprint. Canada's automotive industry is built on a foundation of strong partnerships and it is this foundation that will be key to driving growth through innovation. In the coming year, CAPC will continue working to implement its priority recommendations and to keep abreast of the ever evolving changes affecting the industry.

Background
The Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC) is an industry-led organization whose mandate is to address the key competitiveness issues facing the Canadian automotive industry. Membership comprises the CEOs of Canada's five automotive assemblers, CEOs of Canada's leading parts suppliers, representatives from labour, academia, and aftermarket and dealer associations, as well as federal, Ontario and Quebec industry ministers. Today's meeting was chaired by the Chair of CAPC, Don Walker, who is also the President and CEO of Magna International Inc.