Ottawa 'actively' engaging with automakers, minister says

As the Detroit Three begin to move into contract negotiations with Unifor, Canada's innovation minister says he has met with the head of Ford Motor Company of Canada to discuss investment.

After an event in London, Ont., Navdeep Bains, the minister of innovation, science and economic development, told CBC News he's "actively" engaged with automakers and recently had a meeting with Dianne Craig, the CEO of Ford Motor Company of Canada.

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"We have an open door policy, we're very actively engaged with the [automakers]," Bains said. "Any time they have an opportunity as part of the global mandates we want to make sure Canada is part of that discussion."

"We're looking at what kind of mutual agreements we can put together to create those investment opportunities," he said, adding the government is prepared to use funding incentives to lure new work.

Bains did not provide specifics of the meeting, but he said it was "recent."Craig was in Ottawa in March to address the House of Commons' Standing Committee on International Trade.

Bains did not provide specifics of any meetings, but he said the latest was "recent." Craig was in Ottawa in March to address the House of Commons' Standing Committee on International Trade.

Ongoing discussions

"There's no question that the government and Minister Bains have been in discussions with not just Ford, but Fiat Chrysler and GM as well," said Tony Faria, the co-director of the Centre for Automotive and Vehicle Research at the University of Windsor.

"They've made it clear they support the auto companies and are willing to support the investments they make in Canada. Although I'm not privy to talks between the government and Ford, I have no doubt they are in some discussion," he said.

Fariasaid there is "concern" with respect to Ford's investment in its three engine plants in Windsor, Ont. whichemploy 1,500Uniformembers.

Government incentives key, Ford says

A spokeswoman for Ford confirmed the meetings between Craig andBains, saying the two have met a few times this year.

"We are always looking for opportunities for our Canadian operations. Competition for auto investments is fierce," Lauren More, the company's vice-president of communications wrote in anemail.

She listed government incentives as one of three key elements required to attractauto investment in Canada. The other two are competitive labour costs and "fair trade" agreements.

This is important sinceUnifor officials have repeatedly said they would not sign a contract without a guarantee of new product in Ford's Windsor plants.

Chris Taylor, president of Unifor Local 200 and chair of the union's master bargaining committee with Ford previously told CBC News the union "put Ford on notice" about its Windsor operations.

"We are telling them that unless there is a solution for Windsor, and that solution has to be product, that there will not be an agreement," Taylor said.