Business Advocate Supports New Automotive Plan For a Stronger Ontario

(Toronto, February 14, 2019) – Today, Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), released the following statement in response to the Ontario Government’s New Plan, “Driving Prosperity: The Future of Ontario’s Automotive Sector.”

“The automotive industry is critical to our economy. We have long called on the government to cut red tape, encourage innovation, and improve skills development within the automotive sector. Today’s plan is a welcome step in creating a more competitive environment and ensuring Ontario can be a leader in the automotive sector for years to come.

“Encouraging growth within Ontario’s auto sector starts with making it easier for firms to invest by cutting red tape and lowering input costs, such as electricity. It is equally important to modernize the apprenticeship system and enhance experiential learning opportunities. We are pleased to see the government is working closely with industry and post-secondary institutions to create a talent pipeline that serves the auto industry’s present and future needs.

“We support the government in enabling Ontario to become a leader in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology. Investing in AV technology will reduce congestion, increase safety, improve mobility and productivity, and drive competitiveness. In our latest report, Moving Forward: Towards a Strategic Approach to Ontario’s Transportation Needs (Part 1), we outlined the province’s AV readiness. We encourage the government to continue to capitalize on Ontario’s competitive advantage within the AV sector.

“As Ontario’s business advocate, we are committed to working with the government to build a stronger and more innovative province.”

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For more information please contact:
Ceara Copps – Edwards
Senior Communications Advisor
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
647-936-6734
cearacoppsedwards@occ.ca

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan voice of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.

Read the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s report: Moving Forward: Towards a Strategic Approach to Ontario’s Transportation Needs (Part I).