Canadian plastics industry members to hold meetings with politicians on “Parliament Day”

The Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) is partnering with the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) to coordinate a series of meetings with provincial and federal politicians next month to talk up the benefits of plastics.

And they’re looking for your participation.

Called “Parliament Day”, the meetings will take place on October 18-19 in Ottawa. The event includes a networking reception dinner in Ottawa on October 18, and meetings with Parliament members on October 19. “This is a unique opportunity to meet members of government face to face,” the CPIA said in press release. “By working with our colleagues at CIAC, we plan to have many small group meetings with key MP’s and officials. This is your opportunity to be heard. By going to Ottawa ‘en masse’ we can have a profoundly positive impact on how the industry is perceived and on the policies that have an impact on us.”

The general theme to be presented by the CPIA and CIAC is the role of manufacturing – specifically plastics and chemistry – in a sustainable energy strategy.

“We are working with the offices of MP’s to set up the events and meetings,” Greg Wilkinson, interim president and CEO of the CPIA, told Canadian Plastics. “Pat Davidson, an MP from Sarnia Lambton, has been a key supporter helping to arrange the reception on the Hill on October 18.”

To maximize their impact, both members and non-members of the CPIA and CIAC will be meeting with Ministers and MPs from ridings where they have processing facilities, Wilkinson continued. “We are still talking to the MP’s and Senators offices, and we won’t nail down a full schedule until closer to the date,” he said. “But we are getting a positive response from many of the offices.”

Individual meetings are expected last between 30-45 minutes, he added.

“The response has been very positive from members and we are already past our minimum registration,” Wilkinson said. “We expect to have a very strong contingent in Ottawa for the event.”

A registration form for Parliament Day is available here.