Canada offers $3.29 billion bailout to Canadian subsidiaries of US automakers
The
federal and Ontario governments will provide the Canadian subsidiaries
of the Detroit Three automakers with 4 billion Canadian dollars ($3.29
billion) in emergency loans, the prime minister said Saturday.
The announcement follows a pledge Friday by
U.S. President George W. Bush to offer $17.4 billion in emergency loans to General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC.
Prime
Minister Stephen Harper said Canada's bailout plan, the equivalent of
20 percent of the U.S. aid package, will help keep the plants afloat
while the automakers restructure their businesses to retain one the
country's most important
economic sectors.
"We
cannot afford, in the United States or Canada, the catastrophic
short-term collapse of the Big Three automakers. The U.S. has signaled
that they are not going to allow these companies to fail, and we will
do our share of the North American package to see that this doesn't
happen either," said Harper speaking at a news conference in Toronto.
Canada's
automotive industry represents 14 percent of the country's
manufacturing output, 23 percent of manufactured exports, and directly
employs more than 150,000 Canadians. The country's largest industry
within the manufacturing sector, it has been suffering from its slowest
sales in 26 years and dwindling operating cash.
Ontario has agreed to provide 1.3 billion
Canadian dollars
($1.07 billion) of the total since the province alone employs about
400,000 auto sector workers -- both directly and indirectly -- and the
industry is the mainstay of about 12 Ontario communities.
"In
Ontario, we've got thousands of people and their families who rely on
the auto industry to be on firm ground, so they can put food on the
table and keep a roof over their heads. ... No state or province
employs more workers, and we're not going to give that up," said
Premier Dalton McGuinty, speaking alongside Harper Saturday.
The
Canadian plan will provide General Motors Canada with loans of up to 3
billion Canadian dollars ($2.47 billion) and Chrysler Canada will
receive up to 1 billion Canadian dollars ($823 million). The companies
will get the money in three installments, with the first portion coming
Dec. 29.
"The support announced today sends a significant signal of stability in the face of the
economic and credit challenges faced by Canada's auto sector," said Arturo Elias, president of GM Canada.
Chrysler
Canada said the funds will ensure it has enough money to continue its
restructuring, and thanked the governments for their understanding of
the situation and their swift reaction.
Ford Motor Company
Canada did not ask for any emergency loans, just a line of credit to
draw upon if required. Its parent company in the U.S. says it doesn't
need any government cash now but would be badly damaged if one or both
of the other U.S. automakers went under.
Harper and McGuinty
stressed that the government will not be handing over blank checks,
saying that all stakeholders will be expected to make adjustments to
reduce structural costs.
"Canadian taxpayers expect their money will
be used to restructure and renew the automotive industry in this
country," said Harper. "They expect all stakeholders to come to the
table and work together towards sustainable long-term solutions to
maintain our current production share of the North American market."
Harper's
statement was applauded by Canadian Auto Workers President Ken Lewenza,
who said the union was willing to work with the automakers to protect
jobs.
"This will ensure that the Canadian industry is protected
and the numerous investments governments have made over the years will
continue to benefit our communities. This is a very sound decision on
the part of both governments," said Lewenza, who has been lobbying the
government to develop an aid package as soon as possible.
Harper
also announced two additional steps the federal government will take to
support the overall competitiveness of the auto industry. Automotive
suppliers will have greater access to accounts receivable insurance
through Export Development Canada to compensate for the reduced
availability of credit. A new facility will also be created to support
access to credit for consumers to improve the accessibility of car
loans and dealer financing.
Ford Canada said in a statement Saturday
that it welcomes the government's plan to support the auto credit
market because "Canadian consumers deserve access to affordable loans
and leases when shopping for a new vehicle."
Similar to the U.S.
auto bailout package, the Canadian aid package comes with strings
attached, including a request that parts suppliers get the money they
are owed, that borrowers accept limits on executive compensation, and
that they provide the government with warrants for nonvoting stock.
McGuinty
warned that the money will only be delivered after auto companies agree
to meet conditions set by the federal and Ontario governments.
"Those
conditions include limits on executive compensations. The loans will
only stay in place beyond March 31, 2009 if our governments are
satisfied there are solid restructuring plans in place and under way,"
said McGuinty.
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