Kicking off at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, the Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC) met to discuss key factors affecting the competitiveness of the Canadian auto industry and Canada’s role in designing and building the car of the future. CAPC members from the industry were joined by Navdeep Bains, minister of innovation, science and economic development in Canada; Brad Duguid, Ontario’s minister of economic development, employment and infrastructure; and Jacques Daoust, Quebec’s minister of the economy, innovation and exports.
At the meeting, Ray Tanguay, automotive adviser to the governments of Canada and Ontario, highlighted Canada’s strategic advantages in advanced technology, skilled workforce and award-winning quality and productivity, with world-class academic institutions and advanced R&D facilities that transform ideas into globally traded commercial products. Providing a progress report on his first six months as automotive adviser, Tanguay noted that he had consulted industry stakeholders across Canada, the United States and overseas to gain deeper insights into the key competitiveness factors driving automotive investment and innovation.
Following these consultations, Tanguay stated he believes that industry and governments should focus on three important pillars — technology, investment and people — in order to ensure a competitive automotive sector in Canada, and that as leaders in the industry all have a role to play in communicating the sector’s strengths, dispelling misperceptions and promoting a strong and vibrant automotive sector.
“The importance of the automotive sector is well recognized by our government partners. The positive impact on employment, tax revenues, Canadian export and spinoff benefits to the supply industries and research institutes cannot be underestimated to the future prosperity in the regions they operate in,” said CAPC Chair and Magna International CEO Don Walker. “The focus must remain on continuing to attract new investment and keep what vehicle assembly plants we have here. I am encouraged by the efforts of Ray Tanguay and governments to focus on what Canada needs to do to remain competitive.”
Participating in his first CAPC meeting following his appointment as minister of innovation, Bains commented,”Canada’s auto sector is innovative and focused on the development of advanced and green technologies shaping future of the automotive sector. As we develop the government’s innovation agenda, we will continue to work closely with our partners to build a strong business climate to strengthen automotive investment in Canada.”
Following the meeting, Duguid added, “As an automotive and information-technology powerhouse with a highly skilled workforce, Ontario is ideally positioned to develop and build the vehicles of the future. Ontario looks forward to working closely with CAPC’s members to maximize these capabilities and pursue strategic investments that bolster the industry’s long-term growth.”
Daoust also added, “Quebec has a strong industrial base, including innovative and competitive parts suppliers that will enable a real electric transportation industry to thrive.” He further noted, “Thanks to the 2015-’20 Transportation Electrification Action Plan, now more than ever, our government is in a position to strengthen this expertise and further support the growth of these manufacturing companies which hold great promise for the electrification of transportation.”
Moving forward, CAPC agreed on the need for industry, academia, labor and government to work closely together and collaborate to build a compelling story to attract and retain investment in Canada’s automotive sector and to elevate awareness of Canada’s skilled labor pool and automotive and information technology capabilities. This includes supporting Tanguay’s continued efforts as automotive adviser to provide strategic advice on what industry and governments can do to attract new investment as well as encourage reinvestment in existing automotive facilities.
