NEWS FLASH - City of Oshawa

MANUFACTURING:
MOVING FORWARD
Rising to the Challenge
Oshawa Mayor John Gray was one of four
Durham Region speakers to address the federal
Standing Committee on Industry, Science and
Technology (INDU) in a panel discussion in
November 2006. The Committee began a
study in May 2006 and heard from seven
manufacturing centres across Canada.
The federal industry committee visited Oshawa
in November. Mayor Gray was joined by three
other speakers: David Paterson, Vice-President
of Environmental and Corporate Affairs for
General Motors Canada; Bob Malcolmson
from the Greater Oshawa Chamber of
Commerce; and Marc Rosen, Dean of
Engineering and Applied Science, University of
Ontario Institute of Technology.
Mayor Gray spoke about the assistance
Durham Region municipalities require from
the federal government in order to secure the
future of manufacturing in the area. He
explained that manufacturing is a vital
component of the local economy, both in
Oshawa and Durham Region, emphasizing
that over 43,000 jobs in the region are
directly attributed to employment in
manufacturing.
The Standing Committee’s final report entitled
Manufacturing: Moving Forward – Rising to
the Challenge was tabled in Parliament in
February 2007. The report contains 22
recommendations to the federal government in
the areas of taxation, energy, labour, trade,
intellectual property rights protection,
infrastructure, regulatory and research
development and commercialization policies
that the Committee believes will help the
manufacturing sector adapt to the challenges it
is facing. The government responded to all 22
recommendations in the INDU report and
highlighted measures in Advantage Canada and
Budget 2007, including an accelerated Capital
Cost Allowance for investments in new
machinery and equipment, initiatives to cut red
tape, investments in critical infrastructure, and
efforts to create the best educated, most skilled,
and most flexible labour force in the world.
For a copy of the Government’s Response to the
INDU report, visit http://ic.gc.ca/specialreports
GENERAL PRINTERS
RECEIVES AN “AWARD
OF EXCELLENCE”,
in the Ontario Printing and
Imaging Association “Excellence
in Print” competition.
General Printers of Oshawa was
honoured with an “Award of
Excellence” in the 2007, OPIA Print
Competition “Excellence in Print”
which is Ontario’s most prestigious
printing competition.
In addition to being awarded the top
sheet fed prize, General Printers also
won 6 different categories for
Catalogue – 4+ colours, Newsletters –
4+ Colours, Direct Mail – 4+ colours,
Programs – 4+ colours, Magazines 4+
colours, Catalogues – 4 colour cover,
1 to 3 colour text.
General Printers is a local, employee
owned company.
INNOVATION + FUNDING =
OPPORTUNITY
Advanced Manufacturing Investment Strategy (AMIS)
In today’s global economy, innovation is
crucial for success – to help manufacturers
become more innovative and competitive, the
Ontario government created the Advanced
Manufacturing Investment Strategy (AMIS).
It is a $500 million program to encourage
companies to invest in leading-edge
technologies and processes.
AMIS will provide 10% of the total eligible
costs of a project up to a maximum of $10
million – in the form of a repayable loan.
AMIS loans are interest free and principal free
for five years provided the firm meets agreed
upon job and investment targets. Projects
must either create/retain 100 or more jobs or
invest $25 million over 5 years.
The Ontario Government will accept
proposals until August 30, 2007. Don’t miss
out on this exciting opportunity. For more
details, please visit www.ontariocanada.com
Are you Registered in the City’s
Online Business Directory?
The City of Oshawa launched an online
business directory to provide all businesses
in our area with a complimentary listing to
help promote local business and support
economic growth in our community.
For more information contact: Rhonda
Keenan, Business Development Manager
905-436-3842
4 www.oshawa.ca