Statement to the Legislature

The Honourable Sandra Pupatello
Minister of Economic Development and Trade

Ontario’s Manufacturing Sector

Queen’s Park
December 4, 2007

Check against Delivery

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to start off by saying that I am delighted to be back as Minister of Economic Development and Trade, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen Ontario’s economic advantage.

Since our government took office in 2003, it has been one of our top priorities to shape a globally competitive and innovative economy.

Over four short years, we delivered on many fronts.

Hundreds of thousands of new jobs have been created.

We have invested a historic $1.7 billion in our innovation and commercialization program to turn great ideas into great jobs, products and services.

And I’m proud that every year, more than 140,000 newcomers are choosing Ontario as the best place to open up businesses and join the workforce.

Monsieur le président, cela reflète une économie prospère et concurrentielle.

[Mr. Speaker, this is a reflection of a competitive, prosperous economy.]

Une économie qui se situe à l'avant-plan de la liste des priorités pour de nouveaux investissements…

[An economy that is front and centre on the radar screen for new investments…]

Une économie qui crée des produits et services à la fine pointe de la technologie recherchés et nécessaires partout dans le monde...

[An economy that creates leading-edge products and services that are wanted and needed around the world…]

Et une économie qui incite des gens de partout sur la planète à venir s'installer en Ontario.

[And an economy that is influencing people from across the globe to call Ontario home.]

However as much as we would like to, no government can deflect the challenges that market pressures create.

It is no secret that Ontario’s manufacturing sector is facing tough times.

The very foundation that created the prosperity we know today, is struggling.

That is why, Mr. Speaker, I am here today to tell the people of this province that the McGuinty government is committed to continue building an Ontario response and competitiveness strategy for manufacturers.

Manufacturing is extremely important to Ontario’s economic prosperity.

Our government knows the sector faces challenges.

We know there are problems that must be solved.

We have been active in helping this key sector remain competitive.

And we will continue to act to ensure that manufacturers are able to grow and prosper in Ontario.

The fundamentals are in place.

We are making it easier for manufacturers to do business in Ontario by phasing out the capital tax in 2010.

We are reducing business education tax rates, which when fully implemented by 2014 will benefit more than 500,000 businesses.

We are striking a balance between a competitive and sustainable tax regime and investments in education, healthcare and infrastructure – the fundamentals that keep our economy strong.

Manufacturers across the province told us that to stay competitive they needed more avenues to get their products to more consumers.

We acted, Mr. Speaker.

Our historic $30 billion ReNew Ontario infrastructure plan has helped Ontario’s manufacturing sector raise its flow of goods to key markets across Ontario, and throughout North America.

Our government is proactively engaging with the private sector – using the multiplier effect of strategic public investments to leverage industry expansion and job creation.

We listened to the auto sector.

They told us we needed to increase investments in assembly plants.

We acted, Mr. Speaker.

Our auto strategy translated about $500 million in public funds into more than $7 billion in new auto industry investment.

I’m proud to say that our auto investments have boosted Ontario to the number one automotive producer in North America for three years running.

This, at a time of major restructuring.

We have looked at the whole of our manufacturing sector and introduced our $500 million Advanced Manufacturing Investment Strategy to increase the competitiveness and productivity across the sector, helping even more companies rise to the next level of innovation and productivity.

Now, Mr. Speaker, we are positioning Ontario’s economy for the next generation of jobs.

Our government’s $1.15 billion Next Generation Jobs Fund will spur significant investment and create high-value jobs in high potential areas of our economy:

Clean automotive, environmental technologies, biotech, ICT and digital media.

Mr. Speaker, the Ontario government has more than a strategy for manufacturing in Ontario.

We have a vision.

And we understand that the sector’s challenges are constantly changing.

That is why I am very pleased to announce, Mr. Speaker, that the government has appointed two-vice chairs to the Ontario Manufacturing Council:

Jayson Myers, President of the CME, and Jim Stanford Economist with CAW.

Between them, Jayson and Jim bring to the table a wealth of knowledge and industry experience.

They have experienced the ups and downs of manufacturing in Ontario, and they know what it takes to be successful in this aggressively competitive global environment.

Led by these two Vice-Chairs, the Council will identify strategic approaches and recommend to our government how we can best support this key sector.

I am very pleased that Jim and Jayson have joined us in the gallery today.

Their strategic leadership is a vital addition to our Council and a big win for Ontario’s manufacturing sector.

I look forward to working with Jim and Jayson and the Council to help manufacturers continue to create wealth and prosperity across Ontario’s economy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.