The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada’s Business and Economics (B&E) Group has released the 2013-2014 Competitiveness Scorecards. The national competitiveness assessment, as well as assessments for each of the country’s major centers for chemical production – Quebec, Ontario and Alberta – are updated each year. The regional and national B&E committees prepare and evaluate the reviews immediately following the federal and regional budgets. This year, the scorecards highlight the progress that has been made towards improving Canada’s competitiveness. In addition, they focus on the opportunity that shale gas development presents for value-added upgrading and growth in all major centers, and underscore the need for industry and government to work together.

OTTAWA – The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada applauds the Canada-U.S. Joint Border Action Plans, unveiled today by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington D.C.

“Do you want to pay with cash or plastic?”

Beginning in November 2011, that could be a redundant question. That’s when the Bank of Canada will begin introducing polymer banknotes into circulation, in an effort to modernize Canada’s currency. Canada won’t be the first country to use chemistry-inspired cash – some 30 other countries in the world already have at least some polymer-based bills in circulation, as they last much longer and provide more security than the cotton-based money.

OTTAWA – Canada’s chemistry industry applauds the federal government’s extension of the accelerated capital cost allowance (ACCA) – a measure that the industry believes is critical to attracting renewed investment throughout the chemistry value-chain, from bio-based start-up companies to world-class petrochemical producers.

OTTAWA – The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada welcomes the final report of the Rail Freight Service Review Panel, released today by Transport Canada.

OTTAWA – Members of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada continued to make progress in reducing their emissions during the 2009 recession, according to a report released today by the association. While production decreased 14 per cent in 2009, CIAC member-companies still cut their emissions by 19 per cent over 2008 levels, according to the Reducing Emissions 18 report.

OTTAWA – Canada’s 2011 International Year of Chemistry organizing committee today launched a YouTube contest, “It’s Chemistry, Eh?!”, aimed at highlighting the exciting contributions that chemistry makes to society.

OTTAWA – Exciting discoveries made by Canadian chemists – including how to produce insulin for treating diabetes, how to extract canola oil from an inedible plant and how to detect fingerprints at crime scenes – will be commemorated as part of Canada’s 2011 International Year of Chemistry (IYC) celebrations.

OTTAWA – Canada’s chemistry sector experienced a solid recovery in 2010, according to a year-end survey of the industry prepared by the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC). Sales of basic chemicals and resins totalled $21 billion in 2010 – a 14 per cent increase over 2009. Operating profits were $2.3 billion, up 73 per cent from the previous year.

OTTAWA – A group of allied industry associations released a report Wednesday calling for key improvements to the Government of Ontario’s Regulatory Policy. The report and recommendations were developed in the spirit of improving both the coordination and supervision of the regulatory process in Ontario. 

OTTAWA – The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada applauds the federal, provincial and territorial environment ministers for adopting the Comprehensive Air Management System (CAMS) proposal at the meeting of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment yesterday.
 

OTTAWA – Leaders of Canada’s chemistry industry will be on Parliament Hill today to lobby for an extension of a tax measure they say is critical to the survival of Canadian manufacturers.

OTTAWA – The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada has invited a group of critics to share their views of the industry at the association’s annual general meeting in Ottawa on Wednesday.
The meeting will also mark the 25th anniversary of Responsible Care® – the association’s environmental, health and sustainability initiative.

OTTAWA – The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada supports the results of Health Canada’s Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, released today. Biomonitoring studies such as this are useful tools for obtaining exposure information, which can be combined with other scientific approaches to advance public health. That being said, the association urges caution when interpreting biomonitoring studies.