By: Sally Yip
The Industry Jobs and the Local Economy OAIS & “A Call for Action: A Canadian
Auto Strategy,” GTA AUTO CLUSTER: Auto 21
AUTO21 Conference 2008 A.P.M.A. Annual Conference & Exhibit:
Developing 2020 Vision
Strategic Skills Programs in GTA
The Greater Toronto Area is the second largest automotive cluster in North America & is accounts for 58% in Ontario.
Three major auto manufacturers – General Motors, Ford and DaimlerChrysler –operate 6 assembly plants in the GTA.
More than 700 parts manufacturers help make the GTA one of the most vital and diverse automotive clusters on the continent.
Ontario is the most important vehicle-producing jurisdiction in North America, with 2.4 million vehicles in the GTA Area in 2006.
Produce the highest vehicles quantity than any other region or State
The auto industry directly employs 63,400 people in the GTA.
Auto workers’ paycheques is accounted for $3.3 billion into the GTA economy in 2004 (or $9.1 million a day).
Thousands more jobs are created to supply the industry: jobs in steel, plastics and other manufacturing and services.Which stimulate an estimated 89,000 jobs
throughout the economy
In 2004, the Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC) released, “A Call for Action: A Canadian Auto Strategy,”
Ontario Government launched the Ontario Automotive Investment Strategy (OAIS), a new five-year, $500 million program designed to strengthen the industry’s competitiveness.
These strategic initiatives will support private sector investment with:
Advanced skills training to keep pace with new technology and processes.
Innovation through consumer credits and commercialization tax credits.
Over $1 billion for leading-edge investment in automotive engineering and manufacturing facilities.
$300 million to improve border-crossing infrastructure and regulatory harmonization.
New environmental technologies and energy efficiencies.
A national research initiative supported by the Canadian government Centre of Excellence, focuses on research for improving competitiveness in the automotive sector
The Network currently supports over 265 top researchers working at 42 academic institutions, government research facilities and private sector research labs across Canada.
http://www.auto21.ca/home_e.html
AUTO21 2008 Conference An merging conference among the
Network's annual Scientific and HQP This three-day event will include:
a Gala Banquet to celebrate the Network's achievements
panels that explore industry and global automotive perspectives
high-profile keynote speakers
Canada's largest automotive event; which includes: AUTO21 “Innovation Showcase”, OCE
“Commercialization Zone” and the IBM Internet
“Collaboration Zone”on Exhibit floor Booths of key industry manufacturers and
industry suppliers Opportunities to meet international delegates
from key automotive focused countries Opportunity to network with Canada’s leading
researchers Numerous networking opportunitieshttp://www.apma.ca/client/apma/apma.nsf/object/2008+Brochure/$file/
2008+APMA+Conference+Brochure.pdf
Advanced Manufacturing & Design Technologies Centres for Brampton and Regional Manufacturers (Brampton)Project lead: Sheridan College
Centre for Engineering Design and Rapid Manufacturing (Toronto)Project lead: Centennial College.
Integrated Manufacturing Centre (Oshawa)Project lead: Durham College & University of
Ontario Institute of Technology
Strategic Training in Nanotechnology, Fuel Cells and Smart Structures (Kingston, Toronto, Niagara Falls)Project leads: Queen’s University and
Niagara College.