OTTAWA--Canada's Conservative government said Wednesday it will provide further support to the country's automotive sector, its strongest promise yet of aid.
The government's pledge came in a policy speech that outlines that government's agenda. General Motors Corp. (GM), Chrysler and Ford Motor Co. (F) all have large operations in Canada.
"The Canadian manufacturing sector, particularly the automotive and aerospace industries, has been under increasing strain. Our government will provide further support for these industries," the government said.
No details were provided. That could come next week when Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivers an update on the government's budget projections.
Canada's auto and auto parts sector employs more than 120,000 people and is responsible for one-fourth of the country's manufacturing exports
The U.S.-based automakers have yet to hear whether they'll get aid from the U.S. government. The automakers have met with leaders in Washington in hopes of securing financial help.
Governments in Canada have helped the U.S-based automakers before. Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Ford announced in September that a new research center for environmentally friendly technologies will be launched in a government partnership that includes up to 80 million Canadian dollars ($65 million) in government funding.
Ontario has helped the auto sector before with a half billion dollar fund that was designed to attract and keep jobs in the province. Canada is attractive to the U.S.-based automakers because the government provides universal health care to all Canadians, unlike in the U.S. where the automakers subsidize workers' health care tabs.
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