Our History
Our History
Manufacturers’ Association, designed to support vehicle
manufacturers and showcase their significant role to the
Government of Canada.
Manufacturers’ Association, designed to support vehicle
manufacturers and showcase their significant role to the
Government of Canada.
a need for a centralized voice that represented the sector. This was the foundation for
the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association which was established in 1952.

Our History
2010'sMajor trade negotiations took place in the 2010’s shaping the future of the automotive sector. With the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), The APMA was the most vocal industry organization in Canada on term negotiations by disrupting momentum to eliminate protections for Canadian automotive supply chain. The APMA secured stronger terms for regional value content for Canadian suppliers than were being sought by the U.S. and Japan and reversed Canadian federal position through hardnosed public advocacy and collaboration with our Mexican counterparts.
Working closely with officials in Ottawa, Washington and Mexico City during the 2017-19 NAFTA renegotiations, the APMA led the effort to secure an unexpected and unprecedented increase in Regional Value Content for Canadian automotive suppliers in the new USMCA, worth $6-8B in annual incremental volumes for their Canadian operations alone.
The APMA also launched the Connected Car Demonstration Program starting in 2014. In partnership with Toyota Canada, the APMA launched its initial connected Lexus demonstration platform with 14 companies in a unique industrial collaboration project. Conceived to provide a real-life demonstration platform for new commercially ready technologies, the program expanded to a multi-vehicle fleet based in a demonstration zone partnership with the City of Stratford. This program evolved into Project Arrow, the APMA led all-Canadian designed, engineered and supplied lightweight, zero-emission concept vehicle.

Our History
2000'sIn 2002, the Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC) was established. Led by the APMA, senior industry executives, labour, academia and the federal and provincial governments, CAPC continues to address key competitive issues facing the industry and to guide governments on strategic issues.
The auto industry became a significant casualty of the “Great Recession” in 2008. Production declined and Canadian light vehicle production dropped to 1.8 million units from a high of 2.7 million five years earlier. Following suit, auto parts supply sector shipments dropped to $19.16 billion from a high of $35.4 billion and employment dropped to 60,000. The Governments of Canada, U.S., Ontario and Michigan intervened with financial supports, preventing a total collapse of the industry and the supply base.
The APMA also came under extreme pressure during this period due to industry consolidation and plant closures, but ultimately persevered. While the industry rebounded, it faced a number of challenges and pressures including increased global competition, new global and regional regimes in addition to pressing environmental issues and standards.

Our History
1990’sGlobalization, mega-mergers and free trade agreements became the new reality. Computerized processes and robotic technology transformed the automotive industry in its design and operations. The environmental concerns of this generation shifted the sector to achieve a better environmental, social and economic future.
In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed by Canada, the U.S. and Mexico to eliminate or reduce barriers to trade and investment between the three countries. The APMA advocated for an agreement that would strengthen the business of its members creating greater impact on the Canadian economy.
The APMA also embarked on a new initiative with Environment Canada to seek a reduction and/or elimination of the use, generation or release of toxic substances to achieve a better environmental, social, and economic future.
By 1999, the Canadian automotive industry reached $73 billion with the automotive parts industry accounting for $30.5 billion. Canada accounted for the production of over 3 million vehicles produced in all of North America and employment levels approached 100,000 people.

Our History
1980’sIn the 1980’s, Canada produced 1.2 million vehicles of the 8.7 million vehicles produced in North America and employment reached 53,600 in the automotive parts manufacturing sector.
In 1984, Japanese vehicle producers (JAMA) and the Canadian Government to set up the Pacific Automotive Corporation (PAC) with the APMA as a lead in promoting cooperation between the vehicle and parts industries in Japan and Canada.
With the beginning of globalization came an increase in foreign market opportunities. The APMA embarked on trade missions to Japan, South Korea, Mexico, across Europe and the U.S in coordination with the federal and provincial governments.
In 1986, Pat Lavelle left the APMA to become Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade.

Our History
1970’sIn 1974, Patrick J Lavelle who was well respected and familiar with the Federal Government was appointed President of the APMA. In the 1970’s, the value of all Canadian automotive shipments had risen to $9.3 billion with the automotive parts and accessories industry accounting for $3.3 billion of this total while employing 46, 000.

Our History
1960’sThe APMA and the federal government knew free trade would benefit the industry as trade with the U.S was plagued by high tariffs and reluctance on the part of vehicle manufacturers to buy Canadian-made automotive parts. In 1965, with the efforts of the APMA, the Auto-Pact was established. The Auto-Pact between Canada and the U.S allowed the APMA and its members to experience significant growth by allowing Canadian manufacturers easier access to the U.S market.
By 1969, combined Canadian motor vehicle and automotive parts production had risen to just under $14.2 billion with automotive parts employment of 44,500.

Our History
1950’sFormally incorporated on August 18, 1952, the Automotive and Aircraft Parts Manufacturers’ Association (Canada) began operating on October 1, 1952. James Armer, N.P. Peterson and Charles McTavish were the three founding directors.
During WWII, Canada was heavily involved in aircraft production which continued at a lesser pace after the war. In 1956, the Association moved away from the aircraft sector and officially became the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association.
In this era, high customs tariffs were the main obstacle to any expansion in world trade. Imported duties also constituted a major portion of government revenue and countries were reluctant to give up that source of income, limiting trade and export opportunities. Don Wood, a tariff expert, was appointed to run the APMA until his retirement in 1974.