The Ontario government has announced a new program it hopes will boost the order books for local businesses and combat the inconsistencies of a fractured global supply chain.
In partnership with Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), the province has kicked-in $500,000 to build the Ontario Made program, which will promote the world-class goods made across the province by helping consumers easily identify, access and purchase local products.
Premier Doug Ford, Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and Dennis Darby, President and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, made the announcement at Artistic Skylight, a manufacturer of residential and commercial windows and skylights in Vaughan, Ont.
“Ontario has always been Canada’s workshop, and our products are recognized as the gold standard across the country and around the world,” said Premier Ford. “Our government is proud to support Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters’ Ontario Made program. Promoting locally made products will be essential to building a strong, self-sufficient province and key to our economic recovery.”
Funding for Ontario Made came from the $50 million Ontario Together Fund launched April 1, 2020. The project aims to increase the exposure of Ontario companies to local customers in several ways, including:
- Creating a new Ontario Made logo that identify made-in-Ontario products. CME will also meet with major retailers in hopes they will promote Ontario Made products in-store and increase visibility for customers
- Launching a new SupportOntarioMade.ca website that will connect consumers and supply chain partners to manufacturers of made-in-Ontario products through one directory
- Promoting Ontario Made through a digital newsletter to raise awareness of Ontario goods and products online and through social media.
“Over the past few months, plants and factories across the province retooled their operations to provide the front lines with the essential equipment needed in the fight against COVID-19, including PPE,” said Minister Fedeli. “As the province reopens and the economy recovers, it is now more important than ever to support and promote Ontario’s world-class manufacturing sector and get people back to work. By supporting Ontario manufacturing, consumers are buying quality, locally made products.”
In April, the government launched the $50 million Ontario Together Fund to support the development of proposals submitted by businesses and individuals through the Ontario Together web portal and help businesses retool their operations or deliver innovative solutions in response to COVID-19.
“Ontario manufacturers have a long and proud history of making some of the most innovative products in the world. As consumers increasingly want to buy local, it’s important that we help them make informed decisions and find local manufacturers,” said Mr. Darby. “We want to encourage Ontario manufacturers to proudly wave the flag by labeling their products and buying local where possible. Ontario Made will help raise awareness of what is manufactured right here by our neighbours, friends, and families and support local manufacturing.”
