The MP for the Cypress Hills-Grasslands region Jeremy Patzer recently participated on Canada’s Industry Committee along with his parliamentary colleagues. The committee met on the morning of April 30th, as Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains was present this time around after being absent from the first ever virtual industry meeting on April 23rd.

“We have been waiting to hear from the Innovation Minister since the opening of Parliament,” said Patzer. “With increasing struggles for the economy during this pandemic, it is even more important to know what exactly the government plans on doing.”

Minister Bains opened his appearance with some remarks, stating that companies of all sizes and all types from every region of the country have stepped forward for the national effort. There have been nearly 6000 Canadian companies offering to help.

“We all just want to get the job done,” concluded Bains. “That is, after all, the Canadian way.”

Members of the committee raised their questions to Bains, including MP Patzer who focused on industrial production in Canada. He specifically raised the question of regional engagement in how the government has been dealing with Canadian companies.

Bains could not identify how many of the 6000 Canadian companies have come forward to the government, and Patzer is looking for a full, detailed list of businesses to be made available to the public.

“The majority of these well-known companies are located in either Montreal or Toronto,” Patzer noted for the Minister. “I have been looking through several of your announcements and through a lot of the contracts trying to find companies out here in the Prairies who in fact are participating. I’m having a hard time finding any.”

Following the meeting, Patzer plans to press the government for detailed information related to how it is coordinating and partnering with Canadian industries, and Bains stated that his department would provide the names of western companies involved.

Patzer has stressed a Team Canada approach, as he has consistently mentioned manufacturers in his riding or wider region which have not been retooled or utilized since approaching the government. The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology is set to meet again twice this week.

“The reality is we do need a Team Canada approach, but so far we are not seeing it from this government,” said Patzer. “I find it odd that the Minister says the Canadian way is getting the job done, but the government is apparently not working with businesses that can get it done right away instead of those who might be delayed for months to come.”