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CAPC - News Release - May 10, 2005 LONG-TERM VISION AND SECURITY AND PROSPERITY INITIATIVES HIGHLIGHT THE SIXTH CANADIAN AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL MEETING Toronto, May 10, 2005 - In its sixth meeting since its inception in September 2002, the Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC) today discussed progress to date and new initiatives to promote increased global competitiveness and the future success of the Canadian automotive industry. CAPC's eight working groups reported on the status of their work in the areas of fiscal/investment policy, human resources, innovation, regulatory compatibility, sustainability, trade infrastructure, international trade and strategic vision. CAPC also reviewed the action plans outlined in the recent voluntary agreement reached between the federal government and the automotive industry aimed at reducing vehicle greenhouse gas emissions by 5.3 megatonnes by 2010. "There is a strong willingness by all parties to work together to address the issues, and I am impressed by the ground that has been covered so far by the working groups and by the responses of governments to address CAPC recommendations," said Don Walker, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Magna International Inc. and CAPC Co-Chair. "There is still a lot of work to be undertaken, but I am very confident that we have the right elements in place to meet our objectives." It was the second CAPC meeting for the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry. Commenting on the meeting, Minister Emerson said: "Since CAPC tabled its Call to Action report in November 2004, the federal government has moved on many fronts to support the automotive industry in Canada. The National Automotive Sector Strategy that we are developing will address the key competitive issues affecting the sector's growth, and will provide a comprehensive approach for guiding federal policy development in support of this important sector. "In addition, the leaders of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico agreed in March to make the automotive industry a priority under the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America agreement. This partnership will support joint initiatives to make our industry more competitive and our economies more resilient by engaging in a formal dialogue with our major trading partners." Michael Grimaldi, President of General Motors of Canada Ltd. and CAPC Co-Chair, has agreed to represent the Canadian automotive sector in future discussions with industry and government counterparts from the U.S. and Mexico. "Through this partnership, we will reinforce the Canadian automotive sector's strategic position in the highly integrated North American auto industry," Mr. Grimaldi said. "It is an opportunity to address common issues, such as regulatory compatibility and safe, secure and trade efficient borders." "Ontario values its strong relationship with CAPC, and we look forward to further developing a long-term vision that will guide the automotive industry for years to come," said the Honourable Joseph Cordiano, Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Trade. "Government, industry and labour all share the same goal of strengthening the automotive footprint in Canada. The automotive industry is the cornerstone of the Ontario economy, and we must make sure that it remains vibrant and competitive." Mr. Claude Béchard, Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade of Quebec stated, through his representative, that the CAPC constitutes, for the Quebec government, an exceptional opportunity for exchange with members of the industry: "We share the same preoccupations about the competitiveness and future prosperity of the industry. On those grounds, the Province of Quebec has acted concretely, for instance, in the context of the last budget by the Minster of Finance, which includes a number of measures meant to address the recommendations of the Council, which should contribute to the growth of the competitiveness of the automotive industry in Quebec." ABOUT THE CANADIAN AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL The Canadian Automotive Partnership Council is a private sector-led group, which was launched in September 2002. It is composed of senior executives from industry (assembly, parts manufacturers and distributors and dealers), labour and academia, as well as the industry and economic development ministers from the governments of Canada, Ontario and Quebec. The mandate of the Council is to identify actions to strengthen the Canadian automotive industry in the short and long term. For more information and to read the report, please visit capcinfo.ca. MEDIA CONTACTS: |
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