July 10, 2020 – Premier Doug Ford Press Conference

Province Supports Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Launch of “Ontario Made” Program

VAUGHAN — As the province safely and gradually reopens, Ontario is starting down the road to growth, renewal and economic recovery. That’s why the Ontario government is proud to support the launch of the Ontario Made program from Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME). This new program will promote the many world-class goods that are made across the province by helping consumers easily identify, access and purchase local products.Details were provided today by Premier Doug Ford, Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and Dennis Darby, President and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, at Artistic Skylight in Vaughan, Ontario.

“Ontario has always been Canada’s workshop, and our products are recognized as the gold standard across the country and around the world,” said Premier Ford. “Our government is proud to support Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters’ Ontario Made program. Promoting locally made products will be essential to building a strong, self-sufficient province and key to our economic recovery.”

Funding for Ontario Made is made possible through the $50 million Ontario Together Fund launched on April 1, 2020. This funding will be used to help retailers and consumers identify local products by:

• Creating a new Ontario Made logo that manufacturers can use to help consumers identify their made-in-Ontario products. CME will also meet with major retailers to promote Ontario Made products in-store and increase visibility for customers;

• Launching a new SupportOntarioMade.ca website that will connect consumers and supply chain partners to manufacturers of made-in-Ontario products through one directory;

• Promoting Ontario Made through a digital newsletter to raise awareness of Ontario goods and products online and through social media.

“Over the past few months, plants and factories across the province retooled their operations to provide the front lines with the essential equipment needed in the fight against COVID-19, including PPE,” said Minister Fedeli. “As the prov ince reopens and the economy recovers, it is now more important than ever to support and promote Ontario’s world-class manufacturing sector and get people back to work. By supporting Ontario manufacturing, consumers are buying quality, locally made products.”

In March, the government launched the Ontario Together web portal to encourage companies to submit innovative ideas and ways to provide medical supplies, PPE and other essential equipment. To date, more than 27,000 submissions have been received since the launch of the web portal and 18,000 leads have been converted into more than $658 million in purchases of emergency supplies.

In April, the government launched the $50 million Ontario Together Fund to support the development of proposals submitted by businesses and individuals through the Ontario Together web portal and help businesses retool their operations or deliver innovative solutions in response to COVID-19.

“Ontario manufacturers have a long and proud history of making some of the most innovative products in the world. As consumers increasingly want to buy local, it’s important that we help them make informed decisions and find local manufacturers,” said Mr. Darby. “We want to encourage Ontario manufacturers to proudly wave the flag by labeling their products and buying local where possible. Ontario Made will help raise awareness of what is manufactured right here by our neighbours, friends, and families and support local manufacturing.”

QUICK FACTS

• The Ontario government is investing $500,000 from the Ontario Together Fund into the Ontario Made program.
• CME is a national organization with significant membership in Ontario and across Canada, representing over 30 sector manufacturing associations.
• To support business owners, workers and the economic recovery of the province, the government launched the Workplace PPE Supplier Directory to provide businesses with information on personal protective equipment suppliers so they can keep their employees, customers and clients safe as they resume their operations.