CME welcomes the Government of Canada’s $8.9 million investment in additive manufacturing

Waterloo, May 24, 2017

The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, announced today a $8.9 million investment in the University of Waterloo’s Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing (AM) Lab. This investment will establish Canada’s first major advanced manufacturing technology commercialization centre. This announcement comes just after the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, launched a superclusters initiative to accelerate Canada’s global advantage in highly innovative industries such as advanced manufacturing.

“Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is encouraged that the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of advance manufacturing to the future of our economy,” said Dennis Darby, President and CEO of CME. “This $8.9 million investment in the AM Lab can only enhance Canada’s global competitiveness by making it easier for Canadian manufacturers to adopt highly innovative additive metal manufacturing processes.”

“The Government of Canada is committed to investing in innovation and skills throughout our economy. Today’s investment will not only support Canadian manufacturers as they work to modernize and lead the world, it will also help hardworking middle-class Canadians in the Waterloo region. Specifically, this project will support up to 18 new partnerships, help commercialize up to 21 advanced manufacturing technologies and create over 80 jobs,” said Minister Chagger. “And it will provide new opportunities for UWaterloo students to prepare for the manufacturing jobs of tomorrow.”

“Innovation and skills development are key driving forces behind sustainable manufacturing, trade and a better future for middle-class Canadians. Harnessing innovative technologies is crucial to the future of Canada’s manufacturing sector,” added Darby. “Today’s announcement is a good example of strong, coordinated government action CME has advocated for to reinvigorate the manufacturing sector to help it compete globally.”

A broad range of industrial partners including aerospace, mining and automotive, will work with the University of Waterloo’s Multi-Scale AM Lab’s state-of-the-art technology and develop innovative 3D printing solutions to streamline manufacturing in Canada.

CME, through its Canada Makes initiative, will continue working closely with the team at the University of Waterloo in helping Canadian industry to adopt AM to their process and keeping Canada a world leader in innovative technology

ABOUT CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS

Since 1871, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters has been helping manufacturers grow at home and, compete around the world. Our focus is to ensure manufacturers are recognized as engines for growth in the economy, with Canada acknowledged as both a global leader and innovator in advanced manufacturing and a global leader in exporting. CME is a member-driven association that directly represents more than 2,500 leading companies who account for an estimated 82 per cent of manufacturing output and 90 per cent of Canada’s exports.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Stefi Proulx
Director of Communications & Branding
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
(613) 292-6070
stefi.proulx@cme-mec.ca