OTTAWA,
6 February 2007
– Dr. Colin Carrie, Member of Parliament for Oshawa and
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, was
present today for the tabling of the Industry, Science and
Technology (INDU) Committee's final report on the challenges
facing the Canadian manufacturing sector.
The Committee began its
study in May 2006, and tabled
an interim report
on June 1, 2006 describing the difficulties confronting the sector. After hearing from more than 100 witnesses in seven manufacturing centres across Canada
-- including Oshawa -- the Committee today tabled its final report
entitled
Manufacturing: Moving Forward – Rising
to the Challenge.
"My
promise was to make Oshawa’s concerns Ottawa’s concerns. I
believe this report provides substantial
recommendations to improve our manufacturing sector, my riding’s largest
employer," Carrie said at today's press conference.
The final
report's 22 recommendations received full endorsement
from the
Canadian Manufacturing Coalition.
Highlights of the recommendations:
· A
modification of
the capital cost allowance regime to allow a two year
write-off for machinery and equipment used in manufacturing
and processing, and equipment associated with information,
energy and environmental technologies;
· Improving
the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED)
Incentive Program to make it more accessible and relevant to
Canadian businesses. The committee recommends that the
government consider making four changes including making the
investment tax credits fully refundable, and providing an
allowance for international collaborative R&D;
· Offering
tax credits and/or other measures to companies providing
employer-financed training to their employees;
· Conducting
a
review of Canada’s anti-dumping, countervail and safeguard
policies, practices and their application to ensure that
Canada’s trade remedy law and practices remain current and
effective;
· Making
the implementation of a “smart regulation" initiative a
government priority.
"Our
accomplishments coupled with new government
policies, illustrate how we are helping Canadian manufacturers adapt
to new international challenges. This government wants to
ensure that there will
always be good paying jobs in industrial-based communities
just like Oshawa," concluded Carrie."
