Using the Centre for Engineering Innovation as a backdrop, New Democrat candidates in Windsor-Essex say their party would introduce a new auto strategy in Canada if it's elected.
Under the strategy, a meeting between industry leaders and municipal, provincial and federal government officials would take place within 100 days of the NDP taking office. Called iCanada, it would make it easier for companies to discuss investment and partner with government.
Windsor-West NDP incumbent Brian Masse says his party wouldn't rescind the current system of repayable contributions but wouldn't make those contributions taxable.
"That's one of the things that's been an irritant to the industry," says Masse. "The loans would still be repayable but the tax component would be dropped, and that's around $80-million that could be reinvested."
Masse also says the NDP would restore funding to Auto 21 which he says has contributed $1.2-billion in content over the past 14 years.
Essex candidate Tracey Ramsey says her party would also empty out the $524-million auto innovation fund.
"Under the Stephen Harper government what we see is a really complicated process to access that money, one that's really misunderstood and makes it difficult for those who want to invest in our community," says Ramsey.
Other countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Germany, China and the United States have dedicated strategies to secure auto jobs.