CME launches Fuelling Canada's Future

New initiative raises important questions about costs and benefits of government's approach to Clean Fuel Standard

OTTAWA, Oct. 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) has launched Fuelling Canada's Future (www.fuellingcanadasfuture.ca), an initiative developed in response to manufacturers' concerns about the potential economic consequences of the Clean Fuel Standard (CFS). Fuelling Canada's Future encourages the federal government to move forward with its plan to conduct a fully-costed review of its proposed CFS in collaboration with industry.

"CME supports the environmental principles behind the CFS, but the regulations have to strike the right balance," said Dennis Darby, President & CEO of CME. "An effective clean fuel policy and ensuing Clean Fuel Standard must recognize and encourage Canadian competitiveness, and affordability. Manufacturers call on the government to consult with industry to conduct a full review and economic analysis of the CFS' potential impact before moving further forward."

To date, the only independent analysis of the CFS originates from the C.D. Howe Institute. Its report, released earlier this year, raises alarming concerns regarding the impact of CFS on Canadian businesses. It reaffirms CME's earlier findings that the CFS could have far-reaching consequences on manufacturers, specifically those in trade-exposed sectors.

CME previously committed to making the CFS a priority focus and to foster meaningful dialogue and understanding around the government's approach.

Fuelling Canada's Future looks to encourage an open and frank discussion about the costs and benefits of the government's CFS plan. While supporting the policy objective to reduce carbon, Fuelling Canada's Future questions the lever, timelines, and lack of research around the CFS to date. The website will serve as a hub for campaign activity and will give decision-makers centralized access to industry's perspective.

About Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

Since 1871, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters has been helping manufacturers grow at home and thrive around the world. In 2016, CME released Industrie 2030 - a roadmap for doubling Canadian manufacturing activity by 2030. Our focus is to ensure the sector is dynamic, profitable, productive, innovative and growing. We aim to do this by strengthening the labour force, accelerating the adoption of advanced technology, supporting product commercialization, expanding marketplaces and, most importantly, ensuring a globally-competitive business environment. CME is a member-driven association that directly represents more than 2,500 leading companies who account for an estimated 82 per cent of manufacturing output and 90 per cent of Canada's exports.

SOURCE Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters