CME congratulates new government, restates top priorities for the industry

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) congratulated Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada for their win and stated that it was looking forward to working together to build a stronger manufacturing industry in Canada.

“CME urges the new government, armed with a fresh mandate, to prioritize the manufacturing sector, and cement its place as a pillar of the Canadian economy. Impressed by the outsized role manufacturing played during the pandemic, each party in this election made promises to manufacturers to help their businesses grow and thrive. Now it is time to turn that talk into action. Our sector stands ready to work with the Prime Minister, cabinet, and all elected officials in this new parliament to achieve that end.” said Dennis Darby, president and CEO of CME.

On its ‘Manufacturing Now’ platform, CME had shared the goals that it believes Canada needs to set and achieve in the near future. The association stated that the country should attract at least two percent of the annual manufacturing investment made in the OECD, or $ 50 billion per year over the next decade.

CME is now urging the new government to commit to a two percent challenge and work with the industry to implement an effective growth strategy for Canada.

CME has restated the following four priorities:

1. Get the workers we need;
2. Stimulate investment in innovation and advanced technologies;
3. Increase Canadian exports; and
4. Adopt an industrial net-zero strategy.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the manufacturing sector showed why we are an essential industry. Manufacturers’ actions reminded us that the sector not only creates the goods we need, but also that domestic manufacturing is essential to deal with any major national crisis. This is the perfect time to make the manufacturing sector a central pillar of our economy,” concluded Dennis Darby.