Mulcair announces auto-sector jobs strategy

Pledges to be a champion for Canada’s auto sector

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair announced his comprehensive plan to protect and create jobs in Canada’s auto sector, while at a campaign stop in Niagara Falls today.

“After Stephen Harper’s lost decade for manufacturing and a growing automotive trade deficit, our concrete plan will get the sector on track,” said Mulcair. “Last year, $24 billion was invested globally in auto assembly capacity and do you know how much Stephen Harper attracted? Not one dollar. Zero.”

Mulcair’s plan will:

• Improve financial incentives for automakers and parts suppliers in exchange for firm commitments on jobs and investment.
• Make it easier for automakers to set up operations in Canada with ICanada, a one-stop shop inside the federal government
• Support research and innovation in the auto sector including immediate funding renewal for the University of Windsor’s Auto21 Network of Centres of Excellence.

“I will be a champion for the auto sector and will work closely with automakers and provinces to attract investment in automobile assembly and parts manufacturing,” said Mulcair. “With a reliable partner in an NDP government, I believe the best days are ahead for Canada’s automakers – together we can kick-start manufacturing.”

A Mulcair government will further protect Canadian auto jobs by defending existing regional content rules in trade negotiations, and will convene an auto summit with provincial, municipal, industry and labour leaders within 100 days of taking office, to develop a consensus for a National Automotive Strategy.

Standing up for jobs in the auto sector is just one of the many reasons Canadians are turning to Tom Mulcair’s NDP to defeat Stephen Harper and bring change in Ottawa.