The Canadian manufacturing sector, similar to that in numerous other advanced economies, lost some share of its jobs in recent decades.

During this study, several witnesses claimed that disruptive technologies, such as robotics, artificial intelligence and 3-D printing, can quickly change the manufacturing sector, and may require some industries to adapt rapidly. This represents growth opportunities for the manufacturing sector in Canada, given its high skill levels, but they must be seized quickly.

The Committee would like a strategy for the manufacturing sector to be developed quickly, based on this report and other consultations that have been conducted by industry, to take advantage of these opportunities. Among other things, federal programs for supporting the manufacturing sector must be assessed and adapted; high quality labour market information must be available in order to ensure Canada has all the necessary talent; dialogue and exchanges between academia and manufacturing companies must be increased; and, better access to venture capital and financing must be promoted in order to better commercialize our ideas.