The Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada hosted its 2019 Ontario Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park in Toronto on Monday, February 25. The Association was joined by members from both the collision and repair sectors of the automotive aftermarket.

Throughout the day, the focus was to introduce the automotive aftermarket industry to the new Government of Ontario. During the face-to-face meetings, participants spoke about the issues important to the industry such as the future of vehicle connectivity and telematics, the right to repair, and education and workforce development.

 “Taking the automotive aftermarket’s message directly to politicians and policy makers through events like this is a vital part of AIA Canada’s mission,” said Jean-François Champagne, AIA Canada President. “The day was a resounding success. Especially well received was the messaging on access to vehicle data, since it touches on multiple issues such as jobs, consumer choice, innovation, and a fair and competitive marketplace.”

“It’s our opportunity to get in front of politicians to tell them our needs and concerns with the industry,” said Steve Leal, Fix Automotive Network World President and AIA Canada board member. “This will help to steer things in the right direction.”

AIA Canada met formally with over a dozen Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) from the Progressive Conservative, NDP and Liberal parties along with senior policy advisors and parliamentary assistants from the Ministries of Transportation; Training, Colleges and Universities;  Labour; Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade; and, Government and Consumer Services.

Premier Doug Ford attended AIA Canada’s luncheon reception, as did Todd Smith, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and Bill Walker, Minister of Government and Consumer Services.

Among the government officials, AIA Canada staff, and industry members involved with the 2019 Ontario Advocacy Day were:

MPPs

• Goldie Ghamari, MPP (Carleton)
• David Piccini, MPP (Northumberland-Peterborough South and Parliamentary) – Assistant to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
• Michael Parsa, MPP ( Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill) – Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (Small Business)
• Peggy Sattler, MPP ( London-West) – Critic, Economic Development
• Tom Rakocevic, MPP (Humber River-Black Creek) – Critic, Government Services and Consumer Protection
• Speaker Ted Arnott, MPP (Wellington-Halton Hills) –  Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
• Michael Coteau, MPP (Don Valley East)
• Catherine Fife, MPP (Waterloo)- Critic, Jobs, Employment, Research and Innovation

Advisors

• Mark Lawson – Chief of Staff to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
• Krystina Waler – Senior Policy Advisor to Minister of Transportation
• Derek Robertson – Senior Policy Advisor to Minister of Transportation
• Patrick Sackville – Senior Policy Advisor to the Premier of Ontario (Transportation)
• Dominic Roszak – Director of Stakeholder Relations
• Adria Minsky – Director of Policy to the Minister of Government and Consumer Services
• Greg Gordon – Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Finance
• Trevor Dauphinee – Assistant Deputy Minister for Industry and Sector Strategy, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
• Joe Veloce – Director of  Automotive Branch, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
• Tom Bedford – Manager of Automotive Unit, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
• Andrew Vittas – Policy Advisor to the Minister of Labour

AIA Canada staff

• Jean-François Champagne, AIA Canada President
• Luciana Nechita, Senior Director, Stakeholder Relations
• Erin Chreptyk, Policy and Government Affairs Analyst

AIA Canada members

• Nathan Naslund, Franchise Development Manager – Ontario, OK Tire
• Rudy Graf, Owner, Graf Auto Centre
• Paul Prochilo, CEO, Simplicity Car Care
• Brad Cochrane, Director of Sales Operations, NAPA  Canada
• Anthony Kuczynski, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mister Transmission
• Steve Leal, President, Fix Automotive Network World
• Flavio Battilana, Chief Operating Officer, CSN Collision Centres
• Michael Koval, Area Sales Manager, Continental AG

Visit www.aiacanada.com