Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, visited the Canadian International AutoShow and talked with Canadian auto dealer
On the opening day of the Canadian International AutoShow, Canada’s point person for the auto industry toured the show and met with some leaders of Canadian OEMs and dealer groups.
Canadian auto dealer caught up with Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Development, on the show floor and he shared his thoughts on the show and the industry.
“We’re looking forward to seeing incredible product. It’s an incredible industry that’s doing a lot in terms of innovation, customer experience, and new software technologies that are improving safety as well. We’re excited as a government, and we are very supportive,” said Bains.
“We’re really bullish about the automotive sector as a government. We’re very excited about where it’s headed and we as a government want to continue to partner and support the workers and the sector for years to come.”
Bains made his comments in the Dodge booth, in proximity to some Canadian-made vehicles. “There are some nice cars here that are actually made in Canada. It’s nice to be around that environment trying to keep manufacturing strong.”
“It’s an incredible industry that’s doing a lot in terms of innovation, customer experience, and new software technologies that are improving safety as well.” — Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
When asked what the government was going to do to help support manufacturing, Bains said the government believes Canada has the best workforce globally, and has made significant investments in the sector. “We introduced the Strategic Innovation Fund, and we’ve invested over $400 million directly with automotive manufacturers in Canada, with both parts and vehicle manufacturers,” said Bains, adding that investment helped leverage $5.6 billion worth of investments. “We want to continue to support the sector, it’s very innovative.”
Bains also commented on the recently negotiated USMCA deal with the U.S. and Mexico. “Shielding and protecting the automotive sector was priority one. We understand how important the sector is. If you look at the direct and indirect jobs, 500,000 jobs are connected to the automotive sector. So it’s really important for good quality middle class jobs. And we were very clear that we want to actually create more opportunities under the new NAFTA because the rules of origin have changed,” said Bains. “That means more opportunities for investments in North America for North American vehicles that are built. So it’s really about market access, it’s about making sure that we can continue to produce record numbers of vehicles in Canada. It’s about supporting our suppliers. It’s about supporting our workers, and also promoting more collaboration with our universities and colleges.”
Bains said the auto industry as a whole pulled together and collaborated during the USMCA negotiations. “Everyone was on Team Canada understanding how important it is that we work in a manner to secure the footprint in Canada. And it’s a point of pride because Canada has a long and proud history of building vehicles and we want to continue on building the vehicles of today and of tomorrow as well here in Canada. I’m very optimistic.”
While at the show, Bains also met with Huw Williams, CADA’s Director of Public Affairs. CADA maintains close contacts with decision makers in Ottawa to ensure the industry’s interests, such as removing steel and aluminum tariffs, remain front and centre.
