Representing BC Manufacturers

As part of the July 17 cabinet shuffle, Premier Eby appointed the Hon. Ravi Kahlon to a new ministry, Jobs and Economic Growth, with responsibility for many of the issues critical to manufacturing. CME wrote to the Minister immediately, highlighting the key issues we hope the government will continue to focus on. While acknowledging the importance of new legislative measures to speed major projects, CME noted for the Minister that other jurisdictions have done more to provide direct support for manufacturing investment. In particular:

• The Government of Ontario has introduced its Trade Together Fund – aimed at supporting manufacturers in retooling to diversify for Canadian markets (https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-together-trade-fund).
• The Government of Ontario has expanded its Ontario Made tax credit from 10% to 15%, making it fully refundable for Canadian Controlled Private Corporations and increasing the eligibility to globally controlled companies (but non-refundable).
• The Government of Alberta is funding an Alberta Manufacturing Productivity Grant
• The Government of Manitoba is funding a $1.5m Manitoba Made initiative.

In a meeting with CME, shortly after his appointment, Minister Kahlon indicated addressing key issues like municipal regulatory barriers and procurement were priorities for the government. CME will continue to meet with government on all of the key issues identified in its landmark Manufacturing BC’s Future report.

Read the full letter below: