A new report from the Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers and Businesses of Canada is aimed at reviving the economy and the manufacturing sector coast-to-coast. The document, dubbed "Making it Canada's Moment" contains a series of recommendations to kick-start economic growth and create well-paying skilled jobs in the manufacturing and energy sectors.
It says improvements to rail, road, bridges, and ports would enable Canadian companies to get their products to export markets and create jobs.
It also calls on the government to declare the orderly development of Canada's energy sector is in the national interest from economic development, energy security, and environmental perspective.
The report says Canada has vast reserves of oil and natural gas, two energy solutions that will continue to be in high demand in North America and on world markets.
The organization wants the government to enable pipelines by amending Bill C-69, legislation the coalition thinks stands in the way to getting them built. They suggest cutting red tape would increase productivity.
Other recommendations include a call for a streamlined approach to project timelines and permits during the recovery stage, and full tax credits for a capital investment in new equipment, machinery, and technology applications, which they call a direct investment in the economy to increase efficiencies and productivity.
CCMBC Board member Catherine Swift added "When considering how Canada can best recover from COVID-19, some groups have proposed a so-called 'resilient recovery' with an exclusive focus on 'green' energy. Although this will be part of the solution, neglecting the oil and gas sectors and related manufacturing, which contributes so significantly to Canada's economy, will only ensure that our recovery is much weaker and prolonged than necessary."
