AEM: federal spring economic update strengthens Canadian workforce, infrastructure

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations, Kip Eideberg, issued the organization's response to Prime Minister Mark Carney's spring economic update — a revision to the federal budget aimed to strengthen Canada in the midst of an uncertain global economy. 

AEM welcomes the federal government's continued focus on strengthening Canada's economy through investments in trade-enabling infrastructure, workforce development, and measures to make the country more attractive to foreign investment. At a time of heightened global uncertainty, these are important signals that the country is prepared to compete, grow, and build with greater urgency. 

AEM supports the creation of the Canada Strong Fund as a meaningful step toward advancing the major projects that will underpin Canada's long-term growth. If implemented with clarity and speed, the fund can help unlock the nation-building infrastructure, industrial capacity, and private-sector investment needed to strengthen the economy and improve its global competitiveness. 

The government's commitment of $6 billion to expand Canada's skilled trades workforce by more than 100,000 people by 2030-31 is a necessary step if the country is to meet its infrastructure ambitions. Equipment manufacturers need stronger access to the talent needed to remain globally competitive over the long term. 

At the same time, this update must be the starting point, not the finish line. Canada must accelerate approvals for major projects so Canadians can realize the economic benefits of these investments sooner. There needs to be a clearer long-term strategy to unlock private investment, expand export capacity, and ensure domestic manufacturers can compete and win. Canada cannot afford to lose momentum now.