I just went on CTV Newsnet with an update on tonight’s auto summit. Auto industry execs have been summoned to Ottawa for a big meeting tonight — a meeting that is noteworthy for its subject matter as well as its attendee list.
The summit has been called by the Environment Minister Rona Ambrose. The invitees that I’ve spoken to have not been told what they should be prepared to talk about but they believe that, as it is Minister Ambrose’s meeting, they will be discussing automobile emissions. Many invitees are worried that the Conservative government will announce that it will be moving towards a system of mandatory emission reductions. The last Liberal government negotiated some voluntary agreements from Canada’s car makers to reduce harmful auto emissions.
The industry attendee list includes senior executives from Toyota Manufacturing, Honda, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, and Ford, along with auto sector union leaders.
But it is the political attendee list that is a real eyebrow-raiser. It includes Minister Ambrose, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn, Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon and Industry Minister Maxime Bernier. Treasury Board President John Baird may also join the meeting.
We are told that only Minister Ambrose is preparing a presentation. Other ministers are attending to be available for consultation and the ensuing discussion.
This meeting could have broad ramifications for the entire North American auto sector. Why? Ontario makes more cars and light trucks in a year than any other jurisdiction in North America, including Michigan.