Evidence of meeting #34 for Industry and Technology in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was industry.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Liberal
Dominique O'Rourke Liberal Guelph, ON
I only have two and a half minutes, so I'm going to ask Mr. Moffatt and Mr. Hicks to work with me to keep it tight.
Mr. Hicks, I can assure you that there are 16,500 manufacturing jobs in Guelph and I've been in a number of those factories, but your point is well taken. I would be more than happy to come to Windsor. We have met with the chamber. We were there in the summer visiting the region.
You described this new application of section 232 tariffs as unannounced, as a sneak attack. I would just like to confirm with you that these tariffs apply globally, not just to Canada, and they also apply to countries that already have a deal with the United States. Is that your understanding?
Oh, no. I think we lost him, so I'm going to move to Mr. Moffatt.
Mr. Moffatt, I'm curious to know, with respect to the 232s, if the industry is sharing information about revised HS codes and how that could be helpful to the industry. That's my first question.
Canada had the highest foreign direct investment in 2025 since 2007. In budget 2025, we had the productivity superdeduction bring our effective tax rate to the lowest of the G7 countries. There are the new SR and ED credits and also massive investments in ports, roads and airports.
Do you believe that those align with the vision that you've put forward for improving and supporting the manufacturing sector?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Chemistry Industry Association of Canada
As an association, we've been asking for accelerated capital cost provisions. I would note that these continue to be temporary and not permanent. We should make them permanent.
On the investment tax credit side, those supports are required. I would suggest that we need to continue to take a broader look and make sure that the enabling sectors that allow these technologies, especially critical minerals, are included in those mechanisms. We're focused on the mine but not on the chemicals that are required for the mineral to be processed.
There are lots of examples where the government is doing the things it needs to do to incentivize industrial activity, but there's always room to improve. Generally speaking, if it's not helping, it's hurting. That needs to be a mindset. That competitiveness lens needs to be the mindset through which we look at a broad sector of policy action when it comes to industrial manufacturing in Canada.
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ben Carr
Thank you very much.
Mr. Hicks, I note that your hand is raised. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to take any more time.
In addition to that, I want to give significant credit to our interpreters, who have powered through some pretty choppy waters today.
Unfortunately, sir, I'm not going to be able to afford you a response to Ms. O'Rourke's question, but you are more than welcome, through the clerk, to provide any follow-up testimony in writing, as you see fit.
Mr. Moffatt, Ms. Cretney and Mr. Hicks, thank you very much. We appreciate that it's a difficult time for the industry now. We know this was an accommodation you made on particularly short notice, taking time away from the important things before you. We are grateful for that and for the guidance and insight you provided.
Colleagues, that was another good discussion. We have one more meeting on this, which will take place on Monday.
I hope everyone has a good weekend.
We'll see you on Monday.
The meeting is adjourned.
