New Ontario Plastics Advisory Committee launches discussions with Queen’s Park

Ontario members of the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) now have an easier way to air their grievances to Joe Cordiano, Ontario’s minister of economic development and trade, and his cabinet-member colleagues.
Ontario’s branch of the CPIA recently formed the Ontario Plastics Advisory Committee (OPAC), which has a mandate of increasing Queen’s Park’s awareness of the plastics industry, said Atul Sharma, executive director, CPIA Ontario, based in Mississauga, Ont.
OPAC will hold at least four open discussions a year with senior Cabinet Ministers where industry members can honestly and frankly talk about their frustrations and issues relating to the plastics industry. CPIA members in other parts of the country who may have issues relating to Ontario are also invited to join, Sharma said.
“The discussions are structured so that participants can raise any issue of their choosing with the Minister,” he explained. “Neither the CPIA members nor the elected members would be scripted or restricted in what they could discuss. This dialogue would be off-the-record to allow for a frank discussion.”
Additionally, the number of attendees per meeting will be limited to ensure everyone present is able to participate.
OPAC’s first meeting will be held on March 6 with Minister Cordiano; more details will be available next week, the CPIA said.
“As Ontario’s industry minister this is a great opportunity for the industry to speak directly to the minister who speaks for industry at the Cabinet table,” Sharma said.”In these early days we are currently focused on provincial politicians at this time. Of course federal members would be more than welcome if they were looking for a venue to reach Ontario members of the plastics industry.”