- That the
Government of Canada focus on establishing conditions that make Canadian
businesses competitive around the world. In particular, this means establishing
regulatory consistency and predictability, and keeping down the taxes paid by
both Canadian consumers and businesses, including payroll taxes.
- That the
Government of Canada, in order to preserve Canada’s vital oil and gas, mining,
and chemical production sectors, and to allow industries to better assess the
resulting cost implications, establish a clear and predictable environmental
regulatory framework that protects our natural environment, while ensuring a
balanced approach for sectors that play a pivotal role in creating jobs and
generating new economic opportunities for Canadians.
- That the
Government of Canada review its fiscal and regulatory measures and policies to
ensure that they make a significant contribution to the development of clean
and renewable energy sources, foster research and development (R&D) in this
area and provide significant support to companies and provinces engaged in
these activities.
- That the
Government of Canada introduce a tax credit for young graduates in resource
regions to provide regional economies with a qualified workforce.
- That the
Government of Canada examine the issue of Scientific Research and Experimental
Development (SR&ED) tax credits, including
partial refundability, and consider making changes as a potential mechanism to
increase greater private sector investment in R&D.
- That the
Government of Canada review its procurement policies and practices, especially
those relating to National Defence acquisitions, and:
- Review
the government’s approach to procurement and associated Industrial and Regional
Benefits (IRBs) as a way of increasing Canadian industrial capability; and
- Review
the approach to In-Service Support (ISS) in the case of government aerospace
sector procurements as a way of increasing Canadian industrial capability.
- That the Government
of Canada examine the flow-through share regime with a view to stimulating
greater access to capital for exploration activities in the junior oil and gas
and mining sectors.
- That the
Government of Canada explore measures to increase foreign venture capital
investment in Canada.
- That the
Government of Canada maintain and expand the Strategic Aerospace Defence
Initiative, while continuing to require loans to be refunded in order to ensure
taxpayers are getting value for money.
- That the Government of Canada
identify, as soon as possible, a replacement program or alternative funding
mechanism for Technology Partnerships Canada in order to support strategic
R&D and demonstration projects by industry that are intended to produce
social, economic and environmental benefits for Canadians.
- That the Government of Canada
develop a long-term space plan.
- That the Government of Canada
review Canadian anti-dumping and countervailing policies and practices and
their application to ensure that Canada’s trade remedy laws and practices
remain current and effective. This review would also include comparisons with
other World Trade Organization members such as the European Union and the United States.
- That the Government of Canada
expand Canadian manufacturers’ access to export markets and proactively address
trade irritants, such as the U.S. “black liquor” subsidy to the pulp and paper
sector; the International Trade in Arms (ITAR) regulations; and “Buy American”
legislation, which hurt Canada’s manufacturing sector.
- That the Government of Canada
examine the removal of barriers to competition in the rail industry in order to
stimulate competition for the transport of goods.
- That the Government of Canada
continue to support Canada’s forest economy by developing policies that support
innovation in the forestry sector, including R&D investments in greener
technologies such as the development and production of cellulosic ethanol and
forest biomass, by investing in retraining, and by supporting communities which
have historically depended on sub-sectors that are in structural decline. In
particular, the government should continue to use Export Development Canada (EDC)
and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to support new investment in
this area, and ensure that EDC has the flexibility to provide financing to any
domestic company. While supporting the forest economy, the government must
remain mindful of its obligations under the Softwood Lumber Agreement, North
American Free Trade Agreement and other trade agreements.
- That the Government of Canada
adopt a policy to encourage the use of lumber in the construction and
renovation of federal buildings.
- That the Government of Canada
review all of the recommendations made by witnesses, which are laid out in
earlier sections of the report.
|