Our Conservative government is focused on what matters to Canadians – jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. We are working hard to open new markets for Canada’s world-class manufacturers because this sector is critical to ensuring we continue to create new jobs and new sources of prosperity for workers and families across Canada.
Manufacturers are major contributors to the Canadian economy employing approximately 1.8 million Canadians in a wide-range of industries across Canada including aerospace, automotive, food processing and shipbuilding. In our area of rural Alberta, many of our agricultural products are destined for Canada’s manufacturing sector before they reach retail markets.
Since 2006, we have assisted Canada’s manufacturers by lowering taxes, making Canada the first tariff-free zone for manufacturers in the G-20, reducing unnecessary red tape and improving conditions for business investment. These combined efforts have helped Canada’s manufacturing sector to compete and innovate in the 21st century global economy. Opening new markets and increasing Canadian exports is a key part of our plan to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. As the government, we want to help ensure that Canada develops world-class manufacturing facilities and we are working closely with workers and industry representatives.
Manufacturers are major contributors to the Canadian economy, employing approximately 1.8 million Canadians in a wide range of industries across Canada. Many communities in Canada rely on manufacturing as their economic base.
We are continuing to pursue trade talks with some of the largest, most dynamic and fastest-growing economies in the world, including India, Japan, the European Union and the countries that make up the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Strengthening traditional markets and opening new ones have helped our agriculture sales as well.
The Hon. Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade says, “Our government will continue to support Canadian manufacturers through initiatives that will unleash their potential to innovate and compete in the global economy, which will benefit hard-working Canadian families for years to come.”
The title of Economic Action Plan 2013 is “Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity.” Working to strengthen Canada’s manufacturing sector for now and into the future is a good example of what we mean when we talk about securing long-term prosperity. Our government has been doing this work in many sectors of Canada’s economy. We see this work up-close in the agricultural sector of our riding. Trade opportunities and state-of-the-art capabilities are two keys to providing communities with the tools they need to be prosperous.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this or previous columns you may write me at 4945-50th Street, Camrose, Alberta, T4V 1P9, call 780-608-4600, toll-free 1-800-665-4358, fax 780-608-4603 or e-mail Kevin.Sorenson.c1@parl.gc.ca.
