Federal manufacturing report addresses plastics industry concerns (February 12, 2007)

The Canadian government’s Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology has released a report on the challenges facing the Canadian manufacturing sector, including the plastics industry.
After approximately one year of consultations with leaders and organizations representing various manufacturing industries, the report was tabled in the House of Commons on Feb. 6, 2007. Recommendations from the report that address plastics industry concerns include:
1) That the government of Canada modify its capital cost allowance for machinery and equipment used in manufacturing and processing and equipment associated with information, energy and environmental technologies to a two year write-off (i.e., 50 per cent using the straight-line depreciation method) for a period of five years. This measure would be renewable for further five-year periods upon due diligence review by a parliamentary committee.
2) That the Canadian government improve the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program to make it more accessible and relevant to Canadian businesses.
3) That the Canadian government provide tax credits and /or other measures to companies providing employer-financed training to their employees.
4) That the Canadian government conduct an internal review of Canadian anti-dumping, countervail and safeguard policies, practices and their application to ensure that Canada’s trade remedy laws and practices remain current and effective. This review would also include comparisons with other World Trade Organization members such as the U.S. and the European Union.
5) That the government of Canada immediately bring forth legislation to amend the Copyright Act; ratify the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty; amend related acts; and ensure appropriate enforcement resources are allocated to combat the scourge and considerable economic and competitive damage to Canada’s manufacturing and services sectors, and to Canada’s international reputation by the proliferation of counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.