Toronto, ON, September 27, 2023 – Following a fireside chat with Flavio Volpe, President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturer’s Association (APMA) at the 71st APMA Annual Conference yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made his way to the floor of the Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show (CMTS) – where the APMA conference was co-located – to show his support for the industry.

The Prime Minister toured through the exhibits of CMTS 2023, the country’s national industry event – which takes place until September 28 at its new venue, The Toronto Congress Centre – stopping to talk with members of the manufacturing community about their innovations.

“Canada’s workers are some of the best in the world,” the Prime Minister’s Office shared in social posts following the event tour. “They are dedicated, innovative, and passionate about what they do – all of that was on display today in Toronto. To those we spent time with: Thanks for showing us around, and thanks for sharing your talents with Canadians.”

CMTS 2023 features the latest equipment and technology advancements in machine tools, tooling, metalworking, automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, and digital transformation. It is presented by SME, with strategic event partners including Canadian Machine Tool Distributors’ Association (CMTDA), Canadian Tooling and Machining Association (CTMA), CWB-EWI Group, and Automotive Parts Manufacturer’s Association (APMA).

“The future of Canadian manufacturing is incredibly exciting,” said Senior Director, Event Strategy, SME Julie Pike, who accompanied the Prime Minister on the tour.  “We’re seeing particular vibrancy in areas such as aerospace, automotive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, robotics, additive manufacturing (3D printing) and sustainable practices, and the latest breakthroughs in each of these areas are on full display on the show floor,” she added, emphasizing that manufacturers and processors are major contributors to the Canadian economy, creating more than 1.7 million jobs and accounting for more than 10% -- or $174 billion – of total Gross Domestic Product (GDP).