The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC), on behalf of its membership, welcomes the opportunity to provide our input to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs as part of the 2020 pre-budget consultation. We firmly support the government’s commitment to address the deficit and debt burden and commend the government on its multi-faceted, Open for Business Action Plan to make the economic climate in the province more attractive to start and grow a business and encourage more investment.

The chemistry industry is the fastest growing manufacturing sector in North America. Chemistry manufacturing facilities have a life cycle of more than 30 years. Not securing these investments now means Ontario will miss out on decades of new direct and indirect jobs, tax revenues, new infrastructure and community investments. Only a competitive business environment and a welcoming public policy environment will attract our fair share of new investment and create the high value, long-term sustainable jobs that the chemistry sector generates.