Manufacturing our future: A manufacturing strategy for Canada

CANADA NEEDS A STRONG AND GROWING MANUFACTURING SECTOR

Canada has the opportunity to reshape our economic landscape and future prosperity over the coming months.

Manufacturing Our Future is a framework and a starting point for a new industrial strategy for Canada that can take us from crisis response to economic prosperity.

With the right conditions, a strong, innovative, and resilient manufacturing sector can help drive Canadian prosperity and respond to any future crisis.

Leveraging Canadian manufacturing for long-term prosperity

“Manufacturing our Future” offers a  three-phase strategy for governments to ensure Canada’s manufacturing industry survives the COVID-19  crisis, recovers strongly, and thrives over the long-term.

PHASE 1: RESPOND

1. Fix outstanding access issues with the wage subsidy and the commercial rent subsidy programs.
2. Implement a rapid arbitration process for companies who were denied access to relief programs.
3. Spur consumer spending through “Cash for Clunkers”, a home renovation tax credit, and a three-month sales tax holiday.

PHASE 2: RECOVER

1. Develop and support a Made-in-Canada strategy to boost sales of Canadian-made goods at home and abroad.
2. Increase infrastructure spending and leverage government procurement by basing purchase decisions on total economic value to Canada, not just price.
3. Encourage business investment by re-funding investment support programs and grant programs.

PHASE 3: PROSPER

1. Improve Canada’s global investment competitiveness by lowering the cost of doing business.
2. Implement a value-added natural resources development strategy.
3. Through procurement, encourage the development, production, and commercialization of new health care technologies.
4. Develop policies that support SME export and scale up.
5. Conduct a full mapping of Canada’s domestic manufacturing capabilities.
6. Strengthen North American manufacturing by leveraging CUSMA.