Members of Parliament, Canada: Propose Govt. to create sector fund, dedicated to Aluminium processing and carbon-neutral Aluminum production

Canada’s Members for House of Commons, Mario Simard and Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe proposed the federal government to invest $ 200 million for the creation of a sector fund dedicated to aluminium processing and carbon-neutral aluminium production.

According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the $ 200 million resulting from the 2018 counter-tariffs has still not gone to the industry. The Bloc members are therefore calling on the government to use this amount as a motor for development in the secondary and tertiary processing sectors. At the same time, they also want this fund to promote the development of the green aluminium industry.

The sector fund would be a blessing for the aluminium sector, as it can benefit from significant leverage to reduce supply chains.

 Mario Simard said: “Right now, the transformation is mostly happening with the Americans. We send our products abroad and then buy it back with added value at a high price. By investing in secondary and tertiary processing, we could reduce the supply chain, stabilize our markets and create many jobs. This is an incredible opportunity for the aluminium industry in Quebec.”

Rejoices the member for Jonquière:  “Recalling that each job in aluminium production in the United States generates 18 jobs in processing.”

For the two elected members of the Bloc Québécois, it will still be important to ensure that the sector fund is managed jointly by the players in the field.

Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe said: “Our approach in politics is always to bring together as many people as possible around the same table. However, we do not want to impose a particular vision since people in the industry already know very well what will be good for them.”

The member for Lac-Saint-Jean said: “Such a sector fund, managed by the partners, could promote the growth of several SMEs across Quebec. This is a model that already exists and has proven itself while referring to the regional fund that was created following the closure of the Gentilly-2 nuclear power plant.”

The proposal of the two elected independentists was received with interest by the Bloc Québécois and its leader, Yves-François Blanchet.