Oshawa, Ontario -- On Thursday, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry discussed the government's plans for revivifying Canada's automotive sector with industry leaders.
During a Thursday press event that followed the closed-door meeting, Mélanie Joly said much of the federal government's support for the automotive sector would be delivered in the form of defence contracts.
"Canada will be investing more than ever in defence -- up to two percent or even more... This is an opportunity that we haven't seen since the Second World War to invest in Canada."
The former Foreign Affairs Minister added that the Canadian government would also seek to make targeted investments in the automotive sector designed to prepare it for a return to the economic status quo with the U.S. "Ultimately, we want to be there when consumers adopt these technologies."
She also said that under Canadian automotive businesses should attempt to capitalize on political dissatisfaction in the U.S. "We have an opportunity that we haven't had since the Vietnam War to secure talent from south of the border."
Earlier in the day, Joly toured the Motor Vehicle Test Centre in Oshawa, Ontario. According to a press release issued by her office, the visit was meant to underscore the federal government's commitment to advancing Canada's automotive sector, particularly in the realms of safety, innovation and the transition to zero-emission vehicles.
The MVTC is operated by PMG Technologies. Spanning 546 hectares and featuring 25 kilometres of specialized test tracks, the centre plays a pivotal role in ensuring that vehicles meet Canadian safety standards.
