CIAC hosts Ontario Leadership Group with key government officials

On October 3, the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) hosted the Ontario East/West Leadership Group and Economic Development Advocacy Day in Toronto.

The event brought together the CIAC Ontario Leadership group – which represents the highest-ranking officer from each member facility in the province – to raise awareness of Ontario’s chemistry sector and its role as a key economic engine in the Ontario economy.

Members of provincial parliament from each of the three main Ontario parties were in attendance, including Hon. Brad Duguid, Ontario’s Economic Development and Growth Minister, Monte McNaughton, Critic for Economic Development and Growth for the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party and Catherine Fife, Critic for Economic Development and Growth, Research and Innovation, and Early Years and Childcare, New Democratic Party.

Minister Duguid remarks focused on acknowledging that the chemistry sector does not get the recognition it deserves for

its contribution to Ontarians with the products they enable and its role in the economy through jobs and investments. He qualified the industry as “exciting, evolving, with high value opportunities

for the next generation of workers.”  He concluded his remarks stating the Ontario government will continue to stand with the sector to attract new investments.

Mr. McNaughton and Ms. Fife remarks demonstrated their understanding of the sector and shed light on their parties’ economic development plans and policies as preparations for the June 2018 election unfold. They shared their thoughts on the role the industry can play in Ontario’s growth, and the need to create the right investment conditions for the sector to continue to grow and evolve.

Each session included formal remarks and a question and answer period.

CIAC will continue to engage with the MPPs and their teams as election policy and platforms develop