Harper Government Invests in Ontario's Auto Sector, Creating and Maintaining over 8,000 High-Quality Jobs

News Release

Government investment leverages $321 million in private sector support to upgrade Cambridge and Woodstock plants

July 31, 2015 – Cambridge, Ontario – Industry Canada

The automotive industry is essential to the long-term economic growth of Ontario. The Harper Government understands that in order for Ontario's automotive sector to continue to be a global leader, companies require the right conditions to grow their businesses and create jobs here in Canada.

Today, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, announced a $59-million investment in Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada for the company to upgrade its facilities in Cambridge and Woodstock, Ontario.

Toyota will equip its Cambridge South plant with new machinery that will allow it to produce two next generation Lexus SUV models and equip its Woodstock plant with equipment capable of building lightweight aluminum parts that improve fuel efficiency. The production of lightweight technology is an exciting advancement for the Ontario automotive industry because Canada will be well positioned to export these lightweight, fuel-efficient parts to the United States.

While the automotive industry continues to be highly competitive, companies like Toyota are choosing to take advantage of Canada's low taxes, global trade opportunities and skilled workforce.

Quick facts

To date, the Government of Canada has committed close to $367 million for seven Automotive Innovation Fund (AIF) projects and leveraged up to $2.77 billion in further sector investments to bring innovative, more fuel-efficient vehicles to market.
Toyota is one of Canada's largest automotive manufacturers, operating three assembly lines in Ontario and producing 579,000 vehicles annually.
Toyota's Cambridge plant is the only North America facility to produce the Lexus vehicle.
The automotive manufacturing sector continues to be critical to the Canadian economy. It contributed 10 percent of manufacturing GDP and 13 percent of merchandise exports in 2014.
The automotive sector employs about 121,500 Canadians directly and another 390,700 indirectly in distribution and after-market sales. In Ontario alone, the sector contributes $16 billion to the economy and accounts for almost 21 percent of its manufacturing sector.

Quotes

"Canada's automotive sector is a global leader in vehicle production and our government is proud to support projects that promote Canada as a destination for future automotive investment. Today's announcement will create future jobs in the Ontario automotive industry and will maintain Toyota's existing employment levels at its Cambridge and Woodstock plants. Our government will continue to support policies that help create well-paying, high-quality jobs and grow the Canadian economy."
– The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

"Over the past three years, we have invested more than $1 billion in capital expenditures at our Canadian manufacturing facilities. The spending we are announcing today, along with recent investments in other aspects of our Canadian operations, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to this country, to our team members and to the community in which we do business. The new technology we're bringing here will ensure Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada continues to lead the way."
– Brian Krinock, President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada

Associated link

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada

Contacts

Jake Enwright
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Industry
343-291-2500

Media Relations
Industry Canada
343-291-1777
media-relations-medias@ic.gc.ca

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Date modified:: 2015-07-31

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Harper Government Invests in Ontario's Auto Sector, Creating and Maintaining over 8,000 High-Quality Jobs

News Release

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