As part of its Alberta Manufacturing Strategy, CME is calling for an “Alberta Made” matching investment tax credit or grant program to assist companies with plant expansion, upgrades, technology adoption, onshoring, re-tooling, improving environmental performance, and exporting. PHOTO courtesy TRUMPF.
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) has released its Alberta Manufacturing Strategy, which includes policy recommendations to spur “manufacturing investment, innovation and job creation.”
Policy Recommendation to Spur Manufacturing Investment, Innovation and Job Creation was launched today by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME).
With $24 billion in direct GDP, manufacturing is Alberta’s third largest industry and employs over 126,000 Albertans province wide. Manufacturing contributes over $65 billion in direct, indirect and induced GDP, and nearly 500,000 jobs.
CME says it’s encouraged by the government’s commitment to “have a laser focus on job creation and strengthening Alberta’s economy, adding it wants to work with the provincial government to advance a manufacturing strategy that will “grow investment in our industry, strengthen our global competitiveness and create and sustain high paying jobs for Albertans long term.”
Included below is a summary of the recommendations CME has come up with in its Alberta Manufacturing Strategy.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
- Growing Alberta’s Manufacturing Market Share
- Collaborate with industry launch an “Alberta Made” campaign to promote local manufacturing and supply chains, in a manner that builds on the “Made in Alberta Labelling Program.”
- Adopt a comprehensive approach to supporting Alberta’s strategic and emerging manufacturing sectors, including petrochemicals, food processing, fabricated metals, wood products, mineral value chains and machinery and electronic equipment.
- Invite the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association to participate as a member of the Alberta Procurement Council to support competitive local procurement practices to drive provincial innovation, investment and job creation.
- Encouraging Investment
- Introduce an “Alberta Made” matching investment tax credit or grant program to assist companies with plant expansion, upgrades, technology adoption, onshoring, re-tooling, improving environmental performance, and exporting.
- Implement a Patent Box tax exemption system to reward commercialization and production of goods and advanced technologies in Alberta.
- A Manufacturing Labour Force Strategy
- Support CME members in expanding efforts to attract underrepresented groups to manufacturing through training and grant programs.
- Support manufacturers in encouraging Alberta’s education system to connect youth to manufacturing careers.
- Work with Alberta’s manufacturers to strengthen immigration programs to meet the labour market needs of industry.
