CIAC pleased to see Ontario government’s budget take steps for long-term economic growth

November 06, 2020

The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) congratulates the Hon. Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, on the tabling of the 2020 Budget Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover. We firmly support the government’s unprecedented efforts to support Ontario’s people and businesses in the fight against the COVID-19 and develop a framework for economic recovery.

CIAC is very pleased to see the government take concrete steps to create the conditions for long-term economic growth and prosperity. Of note, we highlight the following items:

• New Electricity Plan for Growth & Job Creation that reduces the burden to industry of the high-cost energy contracts and better positioning Ontario against key competing jurisdictions.
• Reducing taxes for job creators.
• Continued commitment to cut unnecessary red tape through the Open for Business Action Plan.
• Modernizing Ontario’s skilled trades and apprenticeship program.
• Launching the Invest Ontario organization and focusing its efforts on advanced manufacturing, life sciences and technology.

Ontario’s $24.7-billion chemistry industry is the third largest manufacturing industry in the province, directly employing over 43,800 Ontarians in well-paying jobs and supporting another 260,000 Ontario jobs in other sectors. 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 sector is a key source of innovation and is an indispensable solutions provider in the area of global climate change and managing plastic waste. The industry is global and Ontario’s chemical manufacturers must compete globally both for market share and investment.