Canada's Automotive Industry "Ready to Compete"

DETROIT, MICHIGAN--(Marketwired - Jan. 12, 2016) - Kicking off the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC) met today 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 the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the Honourable Brad Duguid, Ontario's Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, and Minister Jacques Daoust, Quebec's Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Exports.

At the meeting, Mr. Ray Tanguay, Automotive Advisor 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 Advisor, Mr. 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, Mr. Tanguay believes that industry and governments should focus on three important pillars- technology, investment and people- in order to ensure a competitive automotive sector's in Canada, and that as leaders in the industry, CAPC members including governments, 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, Science and Economic Development, the Honourable Navdeep Bains stated that "Canada's auto sector is innovative and focused on the development of advanced and green technologies shaping future of the automotive sector." He further noted that, "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, Minister Brad Duguid commented, "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." He continued by stating that "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."

Quebec Minister Jacques Daoust also stated that, "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 that "Thanks to the 2015-2020 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, labour, 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 labour pool and automotive and information technology capabilities. This includes supporting Mr. Tanguay's continued efforts as Automotive Advisor to provide strategic advice on what industry and governments can do to attract new investment as well as encourage reinvestment in existing automotive facilities.

Background

The Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC) is an industry-led organization whose mandate is to address the key competitive 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.