Manufacturers Call for Certainty as Ottawa Sets New Economic Priorities
Based on a presentation at the HRAI Fall Conference, Sept. 21, 2025
Matthew Conley, Manager of International Trade and Skills Policy at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), says the manufacturing sector is watching closely as Parliament returns to work and the federal government prepares its first major budget since the election.
“Parliament is back, and everyone is energized on all sides,” Conley told CME members in a recent presentation. “The budget has been set for November 4th. This will be the first look at how the new government will fund new priorities and tackle operational spending.”
Conley said manufacturers are eager for clarity as Canada enters a period of renewed political and economic activity. “Manufacturing needs more certainty to make key decisions,” he said. “CME is encouraged by the recent announcements by the new government. We are watching very closely for the details and execution of the plans.”
Government Policy Wins
In his presentation, Conley highlighted several new federal initiatives that CME has welcomed, including the creation of a Major Projects Office to serve as a single point of contact for large-scale investments. The goal, he said, is to streamline regulatory approvals and reduce delays that often stall industrial projects.
The government has also launched a Strategic Response Fund -- a $5 billion package aimed at helping “trade-exposed manufacturers facing significant revenue loss, decreases in profitability, and potential job losses,” according to Conley.
Another significant move is the introduction of a Buy Canadian policy. The new approach will prioritize Canadian suppliers in federal procurement and infrastructure spending. “The government is ensuring Canadian-made products are front and center,” Conley said. “This simplifies access to opportunities for domestic businesses.”
Conley also pointed to the launch of Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency tasked with building affordable housing at scale. “CME welcomes these policy wins,” he said. “We need to keep working with the government on the details to make sure implementation works.”
The U.S. Relationship and CUSMA Review
Much of Conley’s presentation focused on cross-border trade and the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). “The U.S. Congress still has a positive view of Canada – this is a big win and we need to keep this going,” he said.
However, he cautioned that Canada cannot afford to be complacent. “We need to make sure we align on policies, not outsource our policy,” Conley warned. With CUSMA renegotiations on the horizon, CME is calling for the preservation of fair trade rules that are “still better than tariffs.”
“The only way we all win,” Conley emphasized, “is a renewed North American approach.”
Diversifying Trade
Turning to diversification, Conley noted that while finding new markets is vital, it will not replace Canada’s deep economic ties with the United States. “Diversifying is always easier said than done,” he said. “It won’t replace the U.S., but it’s still important to find new markets.”
He stressed that progress requires government leadership on infrastructure and regulatory reform. “We need to see more signals from the government on infrastructure and red tape reduction,” he said. Conley also underlined the importance of strengthening trade within Canada itself. “Internal trade is just as important as international trade -- we need to encourage the provinces to keep working together.”
Unanswered Questions
Despite recent progress, Conley said several major policy areas remain unclear. Immigration policy, he argued, lacks a coherent direction. “It is unclear what the system is trying to achieve,” he said. “Manufacturers and newcomers need certainty on the future direction.”
On environmental policy, Conley noted that industry leaders are still waiting to understand how new “green” initiatives will balance long-term sustainability with short-term competitiveness. Finally, he said the government’s promise to cut red tape and reduce operational spending has yet to be detailed.
“The government still needs to tackle some important questions,” Conley concluded. “CME continues to call for certainty, clarity, and stability on all future policy.”
Back to Newsletters
