Policies that help farmers adopt precision technology and maintain their right to repair are among priorities for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers ahead of the fall parliamentary session.
“Equipment manufacturers are committed to working closely with Canadian policymakers to advance policies that will drive economic growth, turn the tide on persistent labor shortages, and foster a climate of innovation that supports long-term economic growth and resilience,” said Kip Eideberg, the association’s vice president of government and industry relations in a news release on Thursday.
Trade challenges
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The association said equipment manufacturers are looking to lawmakers to help them adapt in the midst of significant trade challenges and other issues like chronic labour shortages and an infrastructure deficit.
Tariffs and the uncertainty surrounding them have led to higher costs for manufacturers.
Aaron Wetzel, John Deere’s vice-president of production systems, said in July that the majority of their whole goods and components were exempted from tariffs under the CUSMA trade agreement.
However, materials needed to make equipment may face tariffs — for instance, Canada’s 25 per cent tariffs on U.S. steel, copper and aluminum.
The U.S. has imposed 50 per cent levies on steel and aluminum imports and some “derivative” products, including some heavy equipment.
Priorities
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers priorities for the upcoming session of Parliament are:
- Support for nation-building projects like modernization of infrastructure and new housing
- Investment in export-based infrastructure
- Policies that support Canadian trade and investment with allies, break down interprovincial trade barriers and ensure goods and services are available and affordable
- Policies that allow farmers to adopt precision agriculture technology
- Addressing of persistent labour shortages, including through expanded access to vocational programs and education
- Policies that maintain farmers’ and operators’ right to repair equipment without undermining intellectual property
- Policies that promote cybersecurity and data privacy and don’t stifle innovation; and
- Consistent policies for PFAS (sometimes called ‘forever chemicals’) mitigation and science-based pesticide regulation that don’t put a burden on manufacturers.
