Auto manufacturing means jobs up and down the value chain, advancements in innovation, research and development in new products and manufacturing processes, tax revenues and economic prosperity to communities across Canada. New automotive manufacturing investment decisions have never been more globally competitive or complex. Federal and provincial policies must provide the certainty and predictability industry needs to make new investment decisions, with meaningful, tangible, and effective support measures. It requires a collaborative and easy to understand partnership with governments.

Canada’s auto manufacturing sector is a leader in the advancement of innovative technologies in both manufacturing and product development that support the public policy objectives of government.  Auto manufacturing contributes approximately $20 billion to GDP, directly employs 130,000 people (790,000 direct/indirect) and drives Canada’s productivity growth. Canadian assembled vehicles are the number one manufactured export and second export overall.

Canada’s auto sector is a key driver of the Canadian economy and a key anchor for economic spinoff due to its 7-9/1 job multiplier – the highest of any manufacturing sector.  Canada’s auto assembly is also high-tech advanced manufacturing and drives research and innovation in Canada by connecting Canadian universities with global hubs for automotive research and investment. However, Canada’s auto industry is at an important inflection point in the highly competitive global auto industry:  Notable on the manufacturing & assembly side, Canadian vehicle production has declined since 2000 as a result of a high Canadian dollar, a high operating cost environment, and structural changes in the global auto industry as vehicle assembly (along with suppliers) moves from high cost to low cost countries like Mexico, and shifts production to high growth markets in Asia Pacific.

As all levels of government consider policies to stimulate the economy and support long term growth, the CVMA submits that federal and provincial policies need to provide certainty & predictability for new manufacturing investment as follows:

  • Globally competitive, flexible investment and innovation incentives to attract and sustain production mandates for the existing automotive footprint (first priority). The federal government’s improved tax treatment of the Automotive Investment Tax fund was a welcomed development. Investment incentives need to be provided at a level that closes the gap in the business case between Ontario / Canada and competing jurisdictions and ideally provide a slightly better business case for Ontario / Canada
  • Competitive, free/fair trade agreements that do not penalize Canadian based auto companies, but create meaningful access to new markets for Canadian-produced vehicles. New trade agreements should preserve the important NAFTA relationship.  Canada should first seek free trade agreements with countries willing to open their domestic markets to Canadian produced vehicles and remove all non-tariff barriers (NTBs) to Canadian produced vehicles, introduce enforceable currency disciplines to dissuade countries from manipulating there currency which undermine market access provisions
  • An Ontario Cap & Trade policy that will not impact future cost uncertainty versus other jurisdictions including the United States. Higher manufacturing costs in Ontario as a result of the Cap & Trade program (direct fuel purchases to run plants, increased electricity costs, or increased indirect costs for suppliers and transport of goods) will increase the risk and the competitive viability of existing automotive plants in Ontario.
  • Electric Vehicle (EV) policies such as consumer vehicle incentive and a recharging infrastructure that support consumer adoption of electrified vehicles – not quotas that hurt dealers businesses and potentially limit consumer choice.
  • North American harmonized vehicle regulations which enable automakers to continue to design and build once for the North American marketplace, cost efficiently. Canadian fuel efficiency/greenhouse gas regulations need to be national and harmonized with the US, Canada’s largest trading partner. New regulations should not create unique-to-Canada requirements or costs.
  • An innovation ecosystem and talent base that helps grow Canada-based advanced engineering and R&D collaboration with universities and suppliers for global supply, (not just local plants).
  • More efficient and straightforward temporary international worker process for specialized company expertise.
  • Border, ports and transportation infrastructure that are efficient and cost competitive and support the “just in time” supply of parts and components and allows for efficient movement of finished product to export markets.

 

 

2016 Canadian Total Exports

Value in Millions of Canadian Dollars

Industry Value
Automotive & Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Manufacturing 62,874.55
Oil & Gas Extraction 61,167.893
Gold & Silver Ore Mining 16,437.83
Aerospace Product & Parts Manufacturing 15,780.583
Petroleum Refineries 12,980.943
Pharmaceutical & Medicine Manufacturing 11,760.407
Sawmills & Wood Preservation 10,912.931
Non-Ferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting & Refining 10,233.063
Alumina & Aluminum Production & Processing 8,732.901
Resin & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing 7,932.511

Enhancing Investment


Operating Cost Impact (Electricity Rates)