Ottawa Turns To R&D To Staunch Auto Parts Decline

"Given today's competitive pressures, we believe that it is timely to review the role of R&D investments in contributing to a strong Canadian automotive sector," Alison Tait, director general of Industry Canada's automotive transportation and industries branch, said in an e-mail message to industry officials, professors and researchers, heads of industry associations, representatives of the Ontario and Quebec governments and the Canadian Auto Workers union. The full-day meeting in Toronto will discuss how the industry players assess the future of auto-related research and development in Canada and examine how collaboration between governments, the industry and the research sector can best be accomplished. Although the roundtable is focused on research and development, it comes just weeks after the association representing Canadian parts makers asked Ottawa and the Ontario government for an emergency $400-million financial aid package to help auto suppliers, which have been battered by the rise in the value of the Canadian dollar and production cutbacks at key customers. ... http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080107.wrcars07/BNStory/Business/

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