November 2005

Ontario Government Invests in Innovation, Skills, for a Stronger Economy

The Honourable Joseph Cordiano, Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Trade, today announced support to DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc. (DCCI) as part of the company's planned investments in its Windsor and Brampton, Ontario operations.

The Government of Ontario has committed $76.8 million through the Ontario Automotive Investment Strategy to support DaimlerChrysler's $768 million investment.  The Government of Canada has committed a $46 million investment.  The investments are critical to ensuring the industry's competitiveness in a global market place.

"This is great news for Windsor and the province. We're working very aggressively to prepare our workforce to manage every generation of technology in auto design and assembly," Cordiano said.  "This is how we'll compete in the knowledge economy.  And we know we're on the right track.  In just one year our auto strategy has attracted $5.3 billion in new auto investment and secured thousands of high value jobs for years to come."

"Leadership in the fiercely competitive global automotive industry requires innovation and flexibility, both hallmarks of our Canadian facilities," said Frank Ewasyshyn, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing, Chrysler Group.  "The Chrysler Group's investment strategy in Canada is to maximize the capabilities of both of our flexible assembly operations and our unique University of Windsor/DaimlerChrysler Canada Automotive Research and Development Centre."

Provincial and federal investments will help increase flexibility and put in place new technologies at the Windsor assembly plant and help transform paint shop operations with best in-class environmental technologies.

They also support DaimlerChrysler's investment at the Automotive Research and Development Centre, a partnership between the company and the University of Windsor for projects that will create innovations and leading technologies and put them in place across DaimlerChrysler's Ontario operations.

The Ontario and federal government investments in DaimlerChrysler demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the competitiveness of Canada's automotive industry, and ensuring the Canadian and Ontario economies continues to benefit from this key, innovative sector. 

Since creating the Ontario Automotive Investment Strategy in April 2004, the Ontario government has worked collaboratively with automotive companies, labour and academic institutions to sustain a globally competitive industry that continues creating good jobs for Ontarians. Ontario's $500 million Automotive Investment Strategy invests in skills training, innovation, public infrastructure, and the adoption of environmental technologies and energy efficiencies.

Canada's automotive manufacturing industry is one of the most successful and competitive in the world and makes a significant contribution to Canada's overall economic prosperity.  It comprises 12 light vehicle assembly plants and over 900 parts manufacturing facilities for the passenger and light truck markets.  It employs 168,500 people in vehicle, truck/body and component manufacturing, many of which are highly paid jobs.  The sector generates a wide range of benefits throughout the economy, including the mining, minerals and metals industries and the retail sector.  

The strategic government investments respond to recommendations of the Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC), comprised of the federal and provincial governments, industry, workers, and academia. CAPC is developing a national automotive strategy to support innovation and a strongly skilled workforce. Ministers Emerson and Cordiano are members of CAPC.

Contacts Presse:

Ray Lancashire
Media Relations
Invest Ontario Program
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
(416) 326- 1608

IRIS CONSEIL

Christine Arnal

Tél : 01 45 44 04 21

Fax: 01 45 44 18 14

E-mail: c.arnal@iris-conseil.net

& Site: http://www.iris-conseil.net

 

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