Category
Economy
Ontario investing $690,000 in the manufacturing sector
The training program is led by the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, and the online courses will be offered at no cost to the employee.
Canadian reshoring group formed to advocate for supply chain modernization
Called “Reshoring Canada”, the non-partisan advocacy organization was formed by a group of former parliamentarians.
North American manufacturing rebounding from a challenging 2020, survey shows
Twenty-five per cent of the plastics processors and moldmakers surveyed broke even or lost money in 2020.
2021 federal budget: What’s in it for manufacturers
A look at some of the highlights for Canada’s manufacturers.
Federal budget “missed an opportunity” to help manufacturing sector, association says
The new budget fails to offer a comprehensive, targeted manufacturing strategy, according to Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
Sarnia–Lambton region designated as an official trade hub
The designation gives businesses and manufacturers easier access to federal trade incentive programs and allows them to market themselves as a hub for international trade.
European plastics industry faces extreme raw materials shortages, price increases, association says
The situation threatens the economic survival of numerous SMEs and endangers the production of a wide range of products, the European Plastics Converters group says.
Canada’s small businesses want rapid testing, not lockdowns: CFIB
A recent survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business found that two-thirds of small businesses would consider using COVID-19 rapid tests to remain open.
Governments investing in new vaccine manufacturing plant in Toronto
The new facility is intended to meet growing demand for flu vaccines, boost Canada’s preparedness for future pandemics, and will create 300 jobs.
Ontario invests $10 million in auto parts companies to boost supply chain competitiveness
The projects will help position the province as a hub for building cars of the future.
Industry associations praise manufacturing sector support in new Ontario budget
Among other things, the budget offers a second round of grants – ranging between $10,000 and $20,000 – to small businesses hit hard by the pandemic, and has set aside $1.7 billion for the program.
Province appoints Board of Directors of new Invest Ontario provincial agency
Invest Ontario will advise on key opportunities to spur Ontario’s economic recovery and growth in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.
ANALYSIS: Texas deep freeze: Lingering impacts on U.S. petrochemical industry
Operations at U.S. Gulf Coast petrochemical facilities have yet to fully recover one month after freezing temperatures triggered widespread power outages and plant shutdowns.
OPINION: Revamping Canada’s packaging production
The packaging sector has huge impact on Canada’s economic future. And with new competitors emerging and turning to advanced technologies to gain a competitive edge, small, incremental investments can make all the difference.
CME asks government for more funding to help women in manufacturing
The Ottawa-based association is calling for extra funding for its Women in Manufacturing program, tax incentives to help employers to create childcare options, and additional money to help retrain women for jobs in manufacturing.
Canadian manufacturing growth picked up in February, report says
An improving domestic demand picture, greater purchasing activity, and a sustained period of employment suggests firms expect greater output in the months ahead, the report from IHS Markit said.
Editorial: Hedging is a tool for price risk reduction, not cost reduction
Energy buyers are tasked with helping their organizations lower costs and manage cost uncertainty on the energy they need to operate. Energy price hedging is an important tool for accomplishing that goal.
North American machinery shipments up nearly 20% in Q4, report says
Canada and Mexico remained the top export markets for U.S. equipment suppliers in the fourth quarter, the report from the Plastics Industry Association said.
Applications now open for Ontario’s new Skills Development Fund
The $115-million fund, which will support workers and apprentices, is designed to address the challenges brought on by COVID-19.
European flexible packaging manufacturers “very concerned” about polymer shortage and price development
The Flexible Packaging Europe association blames force majeure declarations, maintenance announcements, and price increases by European polymer manufacturers for creating sudden and significant shortages.
Ongoing border restrictions are costing manufacturers millions, survey reveals
The survey conducted by several industry associations indicates more than two-thirds of respondents have lost business amounting to tens of millions of dollars due to issues at the Canada-U.S. border.
Ontario opposes new U.S. “Buy American” executive order
The executive order disrupts existing Ontario-U.S. cross-border supply chains and erodes long-standing relationships, according to Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
Manufacturing sales down in November, wholesale sales up, StatCan says
Manufacturing sales fell in November for the first time in three months, and sales were down in 5 of 21 industries, driven mainly by the aerospace product and parts, motor vehicle, and motor vehicle parts industries.
Record improvement in Canadian business conditions during December, report says
Canadian manufacturers reported an overall improvement in business conditions during December, according to a new report from IHS Markit Canada.
Ontario invests $77 million to help job seekers retrain after COVID-19 layoffs
This funding is being provided through the redesigned Second Career grant program and will help more than 2,750 job seekers with up to $28,000 for tuition, training materials, and living expenses.
Manufacturing sales edged up 0.3% in October, StatCan says
Manufacturing sales grew to $54.1 billion led by the paper, petroleum, and coal industries, and with 2.2% growth for plastic and rubber product manufacturers.
Global auto sales improve modestly again in October, report says
On a year-over-year basis, sales were in positive territory for a second consecutive month since the pandemic struck, Scotiabank’s latest Global Auto Report says.
Two-thirds of Canadian business owners negatively impacted by COVID-19: CIBC poll
But the majority (75%) of business owners remain optimistic they will rebound once the pandemic subsides, the poll also found.
Manufacturing sales up 1.5 per cent in September, StatCan says
As part of this increase, the chemical industry rose 6.7 per cent to $4.5 billion, the agency said.
Canadian government extending funding for innovation assistance program into December
The program an emergency wage subsidy provided to eligible small and medium-sized firms on a priority basis.
Demand from packaging and healthcare segments to help polyolefins market stay afloat amid COVID-19, report says
The global polyolefins market is expected to decline in 2020 due to weaker end-market demand, analytics firm GlobalData says, but there will be strong gains in these other sectors.
CME, Ontario launch online consumer directory of made-in-Ontario products
The guide is designed to make it easier for shoppers to find made-in-Ontario products, while supporting local businesses and manufacturers.
