CIAC pleased to see Ontario 2022 Budget provide key elements to support growth in province’s chemistry sector

April 29, 2022

The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) congratulates the Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario Minister of Finance on the tabling of its 2022 budget.

CIAC is pleased to see the government take steps to lower costs for businesses and promote long-term economic growth and prosperity in the province. The budget includes a focus on critical minerals development, electric vehicle and battery manufacturing and shoring up Ontario’s supply of personal protection equipment – items for which Ontario’s chemistry and plastics industry is an essential enabler.

Of note in the 2022 Ontario budget, we highlight the following items:

  • A “call to action” to develop an advanced manufacturing strategy and create an Advanced Manufacturing Council to help inform the strategy;
  • Launching a critical minerals strategy;
  • Re-announcing Ontario’s low carbon hydrogen strategy;
  • Investing in a skilled trades strategy and more skills training resources;
  • Launching a life sciences innovation program, and;
  • Major investments in roads and key infrastructure

CIAC looks forward to working with the government on its advanced manufacturing strategy and other initiatives to create the conditions that support growth, continued investment, and the renewal of the chemistry and plastics sector in Ontario.

Ontario’s nearly $25-billion chemistry industry is the third largest manufacturing industry in the province, directly employing over 42,000 Ontarians in well-paying jobs and supporting another 210,000 Ontario jobs in other sectors. It’s $14 billion plastics industry directly employs over 46,000 Ontarians. Our members are key employers in the Sarnia-Lambton, GTA/Niagara and Eastern Ontario regions of the province. Our sector provides important inputs to a range of key manufacturing sectors in the province including automotive, forest products, construction, and food and beverage.

The chemistry and plastics sector is a key source of innovation and is an indispensable solutions provider in the area of global climate change, clean water, light weighting, electrification and managing post-consumer plastics. The industry is global, and Ontario’s manufacturers must compete globally both for market share and investment.