Notes for an address by

The Honourable Lynne Yelich
Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification

WEPA Funding Announcement

Corresponding Document: News Release (2010-06-28)

Check Against Delivery

Thank you, Mr. Greeves. [emcee].

Minister Bjornson, Mr. Kowslowsky, Mr. Cook, Mr. Moore, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good afternoon.

I am pleased to be here this morning on behalf of the Government of Canada.

I would like to start by thanking the staff of Precision Metal Craft for hosting today’s event.

I would also like to welcome representatives from the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters industry who have joined us today.

Twice before, Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Province of Manitoba have partnered through the Canada-Manitoba Western Economic Partnership Agreement, or WEPA for short, to contribute to the Advanced Manufacturing Initiative Program, or AMI.

The goal was to allow the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), Manitoba Division, to provide industry members with lean manufacturing principles and practices that would strengthen their competitive advantage and become the touchstone of excellence in the manufacturing sector.

Needless to say, this program has produced extraordinary results.

Today, in keeping with those successful initiatives, I am proud to announce that the Governments of Canada and Manitoba are partnering once again, through WEPA, to invest $4.2 million in a new initiative called the Virtual Centre of Manufacturing Excellence (COE).
 
Through this program, CME’s Manitoba Division will provide the necessary tools to improve productivity for Manitoba’s manufacturing industry.

Over the next three years, the COE program will reach over 1,000 participants from the manufacturing sector with training and support to encourage industry to adopt the “next level” of lean manufacturing practices.

These initiatives will help them improve their sales, productivity and competitiveness on the world market.

We believe that small- and medium-sized businesses are the engines of the Canadian economy, responsible for the creation of most new jobs.

That’s why the Government of Canada is committed to helping ensure that our industries remain competitive both locally and internationally.

In closing, I’d like to thank the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters – Manitoba Division for their leadership on this initiative and their commitment to Manitoba.

I wish you continued success with this important initiative.

Together we are all working to build a stronger West for a stronger Canada.

Thank you.