Staying focused on priorities
Happy Holidays!
Dear Manufacturers, Partners, and Friends,
This has been a challenging year for manufacturers with the pressure and ongoing uncertainty that we continue to face. As 2025 opened, we advanced our programming by pivoting to include a focus on trades and tariffs with the introduction of the public Member Needs Help platform, giving thousands of Canadian manufacturers streamlined access to critical data, trends, and compliance resources. EMC also convened leading voices from Global Affairs, EDC and BDC, international trade lawyers, customs brokers, and industry specialists through online and in-person events designed to equip manufacturers with access to expertise.
Every day, EMC supports manufacturers in accessing greater opportunities and navigating the increasing complexities of running modern operations. Across diverse sub-sectors, from metal fabrication and food processing to clean tech, plastics, energy, and advanced manufacturing, our members continue to push boundaries, strengthen supply chains, and build a more sustainable and prosperous future.
In 2025, EMC stayed focused on the following Top Ten priorities that matter most to the sector – and we’re carrying that focus forward as this work expands in 2026:
- Expressing Leadership and Executing
- Building Resilient, Competitive, Productive and Visible Supply Chains
- Advancing Domestic and International Trade
- Facilitating “Make it Here” Business Opportunities
- Addressing Systemic Labour Shortages
- Closing the Skills Gap – Upskilling and Reskilling
- Accelerating Technology Adoption and AI
- Driving Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Goals
- Making Workplaces Healthier and Safer
- Investing in Partnership Development
These priorities represent our collective approach that guides our work, informs our programs, and reflects our commitment to helping Canadian manufacturers thrive.
What began as a small group of 18 manufacturers in the Owen Sound, ON area has grown into a powerful national network supporting more than 18,000 manufacturing companies and over 700,000 of their employees. This year, like so many before it, demonstrated the strength of that network and the collective impact we are capable of when we work toward shared goals.
Thank you for your trust, your collaboration, and your unwavering dedication to building a vibrant, resilient manufacturing ecosystem in Canada.
Happy Holidays!
Jean-Pierre (JP) Giroux
President, Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium