Now that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has announced a huge investment at Detroit's Mack Plant, Windsor West MP Brian Masse wants to make sure suppliers here get a piece of the action.
The NDP Industry and Automobile Critic is calling for the establishment of a working group including stakeholders from government, business, and labour. It would create a strategy to ensure Canadian suppliers benefit from the investment worth a total of $4.5 billion.
The City of Detroit still has to obtain the property needed and engage the affected neighbourhood on what impacts and benefits from the expansion to create the next generation of Jeep Grand Cherokees.
Masse's written the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Navdeep Singh Bain, a letter.
"Many parts suppliers, tool, die and mould makers, equipment vendors, software producers, and logistics providers in Canada need to participate in this significant development," he wrote. "These companies are the essential backbone of the Canadian automotive supply chain and ensure our competitive standing in the sector."
Masse admitted local companies might stand to gain the most if Canada acts.
"As is commonly understood in the industry, being within a 90-kilometre radius of an original equipment manufacturer places a firm in the required range of the supply chain," he said. "Therefore, firms from Windsor throughout southern Ontario are a high priority in becoming primary suppliers."
Masse calls it a "once in a generation" opportunity.
