The CFA is a member of the CMC.  Coming off a major policy win for the manufacturing industry in the 2007 federal budget, the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition ramped up its advocacy efforts the past 12 months to ensure that issues affecting the industry remained on the government’s radar. The coalition has grown in stature as well, reaching more than 40 industry associations/companies from across the country.  Looking ahead, the Coalition will ramp up its advocacy efforts and continue to be the "Voice" of the manufacturing industry.

CANMET, Metal Technologies Laboratory

Relocation to McMaster Innovation Park, Hamilton is on schedule with a building occupancy date of spring 2010 and completion of staff and equipment move from Ottawa by fall 2010.  Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and McMaster University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines further details for the relocation of the CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory (MTL) to Hamilton.  Together NRCan and McMaster will establish a world-class research facility at McMaster Innovation Park that will build synergies between the work being done by governments, industry and academia.

Canadian Victoria Cross, NRCan, CNMET Materials Technology Laboratory (MTL), produced the Canadian Victoria Cross.  Canada now has its own version of Britain's Victoria Cross military medal to award to its outstanding military officials and was unveiled by Governor General Michaëlle Jean.

This is the highest award in the Canadian Honours system, taking precedent even above the Order of Canada.  It's also the only Canadian medal which is cast.  Each one was investment cast at MTL and hand chased by the Royal Canadian Mint, so no two are alike.

Initially created by Britian's Queen Victoria in 1856, the Victoria Cross has been awarded 1,353 times.  But, only 94 Canadian soldiers have received the prestigious honor.  By creating its own Cross, Canada is now responsible for honouring its own troops.

A Mohawk College Grad helped forge Canada's Victoria Cross war medal.  As manager of the research foundry for CANMET, Materials Technology Laboratory, Peter Newcombe, was a critical member of the team that executed the new Canadian cross.  Peter Newcombe, who grew up in Flamborough, said it was a difficult technical challenge and a tremendous honour.

Coalition for a Sustainable Environment

Bill 133 – Environmental Enforcement Statute Law Amendment Act.  The Bill was passed by the Ontario Legislature in June 2005 and CFA is part of the Coalition for a Sustainable Environment (CASE) of over 20 associations and thousands of companies representing a broad spectrum of Ontario’s businesses and industries which has been lobbying at the highest levels of government.  Our combined memberships represent the majority of high value-added jobs in Ontario and are major driving forces in the Ontario economy.

Ontario Business Coalition (OBC)

The OBC is the largest and most broadly representative group in the province relative to employers’ interests in the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board and occupational health and safety.  The CFA is a member of the OBC and many of the issues of the Safety Group relates to the Coalition.