Prime Minister Harper Announces New Support For Manufacturing

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today set out his low-tax, balanced budget Manufacturing Strategy to support Canadian manufacturing, create new business opportunities, and increase the number of well-paying manufacturing jobs.

“Our Conservative government has a low-tax, balanced budget plan to strengthen Canada’s manufacturing industry, which is a key pillar of the Canadian economy,” Prime Minister Harper said. “While we have been working to create new jobs in this essential sector, the Liberals and NDP have promised tax hikes that would put the jobs of over 1.6 million Canadians who work in manufacturing at risk.”

As part of his Manufacturing Strategy, the Prime Minister announced that a
re-elected Conservative government will create a new $100 million Manufacturing Technology Demonstration Fund to support large, pre-commercial projects in the advanced manufacturing sector.

“Under our plan, Canadians will benefit from new, major industrial research and development investment and our manufacturing sector will remain competitive in the global marketplace,” Prime Minister Harper said. “This new Fund will provide big benefits across the country, but especially those regions where hard-working Canadians rely heavily on jobs in manufacturing.”

Under the proven leadership of Prime Minister Harper, Canadian manufacturers came through the global recession and now benefit from unprecedented global trade opportunities, incentives for new investment in facilities, modern infrastructure, a skilled workforce and one of the most advantageous business tax environments in the world.

In fact, Statistics Canada reported this week that manufacturing sales rose 1.7% to $52.2 billion in July, as sales in the motor vehicle parts and motor vehicle assembly industries increased. That gain follows increases in May and June. The outlook for the manufacturing sector is bright. Canadian manufacturers today are well positioned to capitalize on new opportunities and expand their businesses, both here at home and in new markets around the world.

The Conservative Government’s Manufacturing Strategy stands in stark contrast with the plans put forward by Justin’s Liberals and Mulcair’s NDP.

“Justin’s strategy for manufacturing in Canada is to give up on it, telling workers in Southern Ontario he wants to transition away from manufacturing-based employment as a driver in the economy,” Prime Minister Harper noted. “This irresponsible approach would put the jobs of 1.6 million Canadians at risk, and damage Canada’s economy.”

“Meanwhile, the NDP are promising massive tax hikes that will make it unaffordable for Canadian manufacturers to operate and drive Canadian manufacturing jobs out of the country,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “Canadian families who rely on high-quality jobs in the manufacturing sector simply can’t afford the NDP.”