CME Media Centre

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is Canada's leading voice for matters related to industry and global business. Our team of experts, led by CME President & CEO Jayson Myers, has the insight you need to stay informed and up-to-date on the issues that matter to you.

News Releases & Statements

February 2012  |  January 2012  |  December 2011  |  November 2011  |  October 2011  |  September 2011

To inquire about releases and statements issued prior to September 2011, please contact Derek Lothian, manager, national communications, at derek.lothian@cme-mec.ca.

February 2012

February 9, 2012
New deal with China on uranium exports will create jobs for Canadians: CME
A new deal struck today between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Chinese government will open new markets for Saskatchewan uranium and will create sustainable, high-paying jobs in the country's fastest growing economy, according to Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME).

February 8, 2012
Strengthened Canada-China partnership will make a difference for Canadian exporters: CME
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), Canada's largest trade and industry association, welcomes the agreements on investment, energy, natural resources, education, science and technology, and agriculture that were signed today between Canada and China and witnessed by Prime Minister Harper and Premier Wen Jiabao.

January 2012

January 30, 2012
CME to host workshops on new SMART funding for Southern Ontario manufacturers
Exporting and export-ready manufacturers in Southern Ontario can learn how to access up to $75,000 in financial support for product and process improvements at a series of regional workshops, hosted this February by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME).

January 30, 2012
SEI Industries Ltd. named national winner of the 2011 Regional Awards for New Technology
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), recognize SEI Industries Ltd., based in Delta, BC, as the national winner of the 2011 Regional Awards for New Technology.

January 25, 2012
Tax cuts help businesses grow: Myers
CME President & CEO Jayson Myers responds to a January 25th Toronto Star column by Canadian Labour Congress President Ken Georgetti.

January 18, 2012
Keystone rejection destabilizes fragile American economy, creates uncertainty for Canadian manufacturers
President Obama's decision to reject construction of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline will cost thousands of North American jobs and jeopardizes the future of shared economic prosperity between the world's two largest trading partners, according to Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME).

January 11, 2012
CME and HealthSource Plus join forces to offer cutting-edge employee benefits and industry-best savings to manufacturers and exporters
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and HealthSource Plus announced today a strategic business alliance that will help job creators across the country save money on their employee benefits and thrive in this period of economic uncertainty.

January 10, 2012
New SMART funding to help Ontario manufacturers go global
$18.9 million in new funding announced today by the Government of Canada will assist manufacturers in southern Ontario strengthen their overall competitiveness and access new business opportunities around the world, according to Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME).

December 2011

December 13, 2011
Exporters voice support for Canada joining TPP negotiations
Forty organizations representing Canadian exporters wrote to Prime Minister Stephen Harper this past week, expressing their support for Canada joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.

December 7, 2011
The fast lane to prosperity: Border deal gives new hope to Made in North America
Fewer border stops and smarter regulations as a result of today's Canada-US perimeter agreement could save Canadian companies between $15 billion and $30 billion annually, and will dramatically reduce the wall of data separating the world's two largest trading partners, according to Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME).

December 5, 2011
Wednesday border announcement expected to reflect CME recommendations
Wednesday's perimeter announcement between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and US President Barack Obama is expected to reflect many of the key recommendations submitted to policymakers earlier this year by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME).

November 2011

November 30, 2011
CME response to EI premium rate setting consultations
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is pleased to provide input to Human Resources & Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) regarding the 2011 Employment Rate Setting Consultation, as posted on August 18, 2011.

November 28, 2011
Panel recommendations on research and development fall short: CME
Proposed changes to federal programs supporting research and development would weaken investment and could potentially hamper Canada's ability to innovate and compete on the world stage, according to Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME).

November 24, 2011
Announcement: Winners and finalists of the 2011 Regional Awards for New Technology
On behalf of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), we congratulate all applicants on their achievements and successes realized by developing and implementing innovative new technologies into their products and processes.

November 15, 2011
CME welcomes government’s commitment to open markets
CME President & CEO Jayson Myers was in attendance this morning as International Trade Minister Ed Fast and Minister of State for Small Business Maxime Bernier announced the government would be reintroducing legislation needed to implement free trade agreements with Panama and Jordan.

November 8, 2011
Manufacturing, labour support extension of job sharing
Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, and Jayson Myers, president and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters respond to Minister Flaherty's announcement regarding an extension of the federal job sharing program.

November 8, 2011
Statement: CME applauds government action on emplyoment insurance
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced today employment insurance premiums will not increase as much as planned, and that the federal government's workshare program is set to be extended – very good news for manufacturers and exporters across Canada feeling the brunt of weakened demand in foreign markets and falling levels of confidence as a result of uncertainties roiling financial markets.

November 7, 2011
Manufacturers ask leaders to remember industry
Manufacturing associations representing Canada, the United States and Mexico have reached out to government leaders in all three countries with a reminder in advance of the Nov. 13 North American Leaders Summit in Hawaii.

October 2011

October 28, 2011
Manufacturers drive Canada’s innovation performance, study confirms
A report on the state of advanced manufacturing in Canada details how manufacturers are using innovation, investment in advanced manufacturing technologies and adding value in global supply chains in response to the intense competitive pressures being faced.

October 26, 2011
Open letter: A choice for British Columbia
Canada has talked about a "Pacific Gateway" for years: a tantalizing dream to position British Columbia as the leader of a coordinated national effort to leverage our strategic position into jobs, investment and prosperity for many decades to come.

October 24, 2011
Canada-EU negotiations reach critical milestone
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is pleased to note that negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union reached a critical milestone last week with Canadian and EU officials now having officially exchanged offers in all the policy areas covered by the discussions.

October 19, 2011
Entire economy stands to benefit from largest contract in Government of Canada history: CME
The Canadian economy is the big winner, according to Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), as Deputy Minister of Public Works and Government Services, François Guimont, announced today the successful bidders of a $33 billion federal contract for the production of naval warships, supply vessels and other non-combat craft.

October 18, 2011
Statement: CME and its members push for border processes to support competitive, integrated manufacturing
The following statement was issued by CME President & CEO Jayson Myers: Earlier today, CME hosted a members-only roundtable with US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin to push for streamlined and harmonized processes for the movement of goods and people across the Canada-US border.

October 18, 2011
Statement: CME calls on Canada and US to harmonize government procurement practices
CME has been a strong advocate of a bilateral agreement with the US that is permanent, broadly-based, and inclusive of all business and service sectors, as well as all levels of government, including transfers of funds for projects between various levels of government.

October 17, 2011
CME welcomes R&D study findings
CME congratulates the R&D review panel for the outstanding work they have done in the last year. The report is an excellent overview of the current programs supporting R&D and innovation in the country and includes some very interesting solutions to increase innovation in Canada.

October 12, 2011
CME extends congratulations to Premier Dunderdale in Newfoundland and Labrador, applauds vision for local manufacturing
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) congratulates Premier Kathy Dunderdale and the PC Party of Newfoundland and Labrador on winning a majority government in Tuesday's election, and applauds proposed policies that will strengthen manufacturers in local markets.

October 7, 2011
CME extends congratulations to Premier McGuinty, urges action on the economy
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) congratulates Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Ontario Liberal Party on forming a third consecutive government, but urges swift action to ensure the economy is a top priority in the 40th sitting of the Legislative Assembly.

September 2011

September 19, 2011
Statement: Parliament must focus on economy, investment, job creation
The economy must be the top priority for the Government and MPs as Parliament resumes today in Ottawa, according to Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME).

September 14, 2011
Statement: Buy America a jobs killer for Canadian manufacturers
New Buy American procurement restrictions contained in President Obama's Jobs Bill currently before Congress threaten jobs in both Canada and the United States, according to Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME).

September 13, 2011
Canadian and US business leaders lay out joint priorities for the future of manufacturing
Governments on both sides of the Canada-US border must take decisive action to respond to the competitive challenges facing manufacturers and the economy, according to a joint statement released today by North America's top two industry groups.

September 7, 2011
Economic stability, standard of living must be top priorities for Ontario’s next government: CME
Ontario's next government must better its standing as a preferred destination for business investment, innovation and job creation to sustain the ongoing economic recovery and maintain the standard of living Ontarians expect and enjoy, according to Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME).

September 1, 2011
CME offers feds pre-budget advice
While the federal government has introduced a number of measures to help keep Canadian business' doors open, CME is offering a few suggestions to improve the overall situation. The association's pre-budget submission to the federal government includes three major recommendations to help Canadian businesses compete on a global scale.