Guelph’s Linamar is one of the beneficiaries of the federal government’s supercluster program that was announced Thursday.
The federal government is committing $950 million over the next five years to five separate so-called “superclusters,” which group technology, research and manufacturing in specific fields in specific geographic regions.
Linamar is part of the Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster.
Based in Ontario, the Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster will build up next-generation manufacturing capabilities, incorporating technologies like advanced robotics and 3D printing. By focusing on training and technology adoption, this supercluster will help make the words “Made in Canada” synonymous with “innovative” and “value added,” said the federal government in announcing the five superclusters.
The supercluster includes 130 participants, including Linamar, who will match federal investment dollar-for-dollar.
The supercluster is expected to contribute $13.5 billion and 13,500 jobs to the economy over the next 10 years, says the federal government.
The other four superclusters are: a Digital Technology Supercluster in British Columbia, a Protein Industries Supercluster in the Prairies, an AI-Powered Supply Chains Supercluster in Quebec and an Oceans Supercluster in the Maritimes.
The federal government spent the last nine months assessing applications for the superclusters, which saw the private sector, public institutions and educational institutions combine to make bids.
Combined, the government says the superclusters will add 50,000 new jobs and $50 billion to the economy over the next 10 years.
