Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Judy Sgro Questions the Government on the Automotive Industry

Hon. Judy Sgro (York West, Lib.):

Mr. Speaker, the manufacturing sector contributes over $613 billion and approximately 1.8 million jobs to the Canadian economy. Canada's manufacturing and auto sector was once the envy of the world. Now it is in dire straits, losing jobs every day.

When is the government going to have a specific plan for the auto sector to back this mainstay of our economy and show some respect for the auto workers and their families?

Hon. Jim Prentice (Minister of Industry, CPC):

Mr. Speaker, certainly the auto industry is not in the dire circumstances that my friend portrays.

Last year in Canada we produced 2.6 million automobiles. We are among the best people in the world on automobile assembly.

Frankly, the main issues facing the automotive industry and manufacturing are competitiveness issues, issues that the Liberals never previously addressed. The state of infrastructure, the state of safety, harmonization of regulatory standards, the development of a dominant fuel standard with the United States, all of the issues that languished under the Liberal government we are dealing with.

Hon. Judy Sgro (York West, Lib.):

Mr. Speaker, that is not what the CAW says.

When Canada had a Liberal government, we provided real support for our auto sector. The Conservatives, like the member for Essex, used to pay lip service to helping the auto sector when they were in opposition, but now, there is nothing but silence.

The Government of Ontario has pledged $17 million to help reopen and expand the Ford plant in Essex. This out of touch government has refused to match this.

Ontario is in. Ford is in. Why do they not have a partner in Ottawa?

Hon. Jim Prentice (Minister of Industry, CPC):

Speaking of partners in Ottawa, Mr. Speaker, I am not aware that the CAW had assumed a seat on that side of the House, but evidently it has.

In terms of working together, the most recent budget contained an automotive innovation fund. I continue to work together with executives from Ford, General Motors and other companies dealing with that fund and the parameters of it. We continue to have regular meetings with industry officials as well as union and worker representatives.

The auto industry in this country will continue to flourish. It is a sound industry. We are competitive and we will be good at it.