Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is rallying the troops in Windsor-Essex with a campaign announcement of a new $100-million manufacturing fund.
Harper made the announcement at Windsor's Anchor Danly on Sunday surrounded by a couple hundred supporters, but was light on specifics of the new fund.
"This fund which is developed from advice from the CME [Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters], will involve partnerships between industry and research institutions," says Harper. "It will support large, pre-commercial projects in the advanced manufacturing sector."
The Conservatives are promising the new Manufacturing Technology Demonstration Fund would be set up for the 2017-2018 fiscal year with the $100-million available over five years.
Harper — only taking five questions — was asked about the potential concessions the auto sector would face in the Tans Pacific Partnership trade deal saying opening up the industry to 800-million customers "can only be good for the auto sector."
The prime minister defended his government's record on manufacturing despite union criticism of the TPP and protesters outside the campaign event upset over heavy job losses in Windsor.
"We're opening markets by creating one of the most comprehensive systems of trade agreements in the world and we're helping to recruit and to train the next generation of skilled workers and trades people," says Harper. "For every one of those jobs, there's a family that's better off."
In a tight three-way federal election, Harper didn't forget to ensure party supporters were working to get out the vote.
"Every single vote is going to matter. I know you're working hard, but every single vote could make the difference," says Harper.
The prime minister was in Oldcastle earlier in the day for a campaign stop.
