What the Auto Industry Means to: Canada

The Industry

** Canada has the world’s 8th largest auto industry, after the U.S., Japan, Germany, China, France, South Korea and Spain. In 1999, we ranked 4th.

** Six different automakers operate car and light truck assembly plants in Canada, as well as several other firms producing heavy trucks and buses.

** Our auto industry also includes five engine and transmission plants, and over 500 independent parts facilities.

** 2,662,749 cars and light trucks were built in Canada in 2004 (7,295 a day, or 304 every hour).

** The industry produced vehicles and parts worth an incredible $109 billion in 2004, (or $299 million a day).

Jobs and the Economy

** The auto assembly and parts manufacturing industries directly employ 149,000 people in Canada.

** Thousands more jobs are created to supply the industry: jobs in steel, plastics and other manufacturing and services. More jobs are created by the spending power of auto workers’ paycheques.

** Auto workers’ paycheques pumped $9 billion into the Canadian economy in 2004 (or $25 million a day).

** The major original equipment manufacturing jobs stimulate an estimated 311,000 jobs throughout the economy.

** Including spin-off jobs, the auto industry is responsible for nearly a half million jobs.

National Impact

** The auto industry accounts for 20% of Canada’s exports and 12% our overall trade surplus.

** As a crucial source of high-technology investment and productivity growth, the industry boosts our national economic performance.

** The benefits of the industry are felt throughout the country through supplier links, consumer spending, taxes and inter-provincial equalization payments.

Supporting Our Communities

** The industry supports services that everyone depends upon, like health care, education and social services. Auto workers’ fundraising efforts also directly support community organizations such as the United Way, food banks and women’s shelters. In 2004, auto workers paid $1.8 billion in federal and provincial income tax (or $4.9 million a day).

** And most auto workers own homes. Based on average property tax rates, auto workers supported $456 million in municipal taxes in 2004 (or $1.2 million a day), helping to pay for local services.

Vital for us All

** The CAW fights for good jobs in the auto industry, which are vital for us all.