Carney responds to Simcoe County Auto Mayors: ‘move this work forward’

A composite image of Prime Minister Mark Carney (L) and New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross (R).

The efforts of a group of Simcoe County mayors hoping to protect Canada’s auto sector, has caught the eye of Prime Minister Mark Carney.

On Tuesday, the Town of New Tecumseth announced that the office of the Prime Minister responded to the Simcoe County Mayors’ request for a meeting.

In May, automotive giant Honda announced it would be pulling the plug on a $15 billion electric vehicle (EV) plant in Alliston, resulting in the disappearance of more than 1,000 potential jobs coming to the region.

RELATED: Honda Canada EV plant in Alliston, Ont., suspended ‘indefinitely’

A few days later, the mayor of New Tecumseth, Richard Norcross, called a meeting with nine other local mayors wanting to take action to protect the auto sector. Dubbing themselves the ‘Simcoe Auto Mayors,’ the group created an initiative called Canada North Vehicles.

RELATED: Canada North Vehicles to showcase Canadian-made vehicles

The aim of Canada North Vehicles, the mayors said, was to showcase the quality and craftsmanship of the work of thousands of people in the auto sector in Simcoe County.

At that same meeting, the mayors signed a letter of intent, requesting a meeting with both the provincial and federal governments to address the issues the auto sector faced.

“I would like to thank you for writing to me regarding our strategy to transform Canada’s auto industry,” Carney said in his letter, dated June 3.

Carney then adds in his letter that the matter “falls within the responsibilities” of Julie Dabrusin, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Melanie Joly, Minister of Industry.

Carney explained that a copy of the exchange between his office and the Simcoe Auto Mayors has been sent to ministers.

“I am pleased that your commitment to Canada remains strong and look forward to continuing our dialogue as we move this work forward,” said Carney.

“This response from the Prime Minister’s Office is a strong signal that our communities are being heard,” said Norcross in a statement shared by the town.

“We will continue to build on this momentum with our partners and federal representatives and keep our community informed every step of the way,” the statement from New Tecumseth said.