Statistics Canada’s recent survey of private and  4  BIS central bankers’ speeches  public investment intentions also shows that manufacturers across a broad range of subsectors are planning to increase investment. I’m encouraged by these intentions. With Canada’s stronger terms of trade, with our healthy business environment, with our ability to innovate, the future of Canada’s manufacturing sector is bright.
Just as your favourite maple tree looks different every spring, the sector will evolve, at least on the surface. For instance, we can expect some parts of the manufacturing process to move offshore to lower-cost venues. In this respect, manufacturing is not just fabrication. Of course, it involves much more. Prior to fabrication, there’s research and development and design.