The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, Sept. 30, edition that Canada has not had a domestic automaker in over a century, but Flavio Volpe, head of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, is advocating for a change. The Globe's Eric Atkins writes that Mr. Volpe is leading an effort to explore the creation of a Canadian automaker, which would help the country gain control over its manufacturing at a time of global trade uncertainty. The effort aims to leverage Canada's manufacturing and technology sectors, primarily in Southern Ontario and Quebec, to develop a new vehicle. Mr. Volpe calls it the Canada Car. However, that is about the only thing that can be said for sure about the idea. The proposal will be in the hands of a steering committee by January, and within a year, there will be a decision on whether the project goes ahead, Mr. Volpe told The Globe on Monday. Ownership, structure and even the product are to be decided, he said. Mr. Volpe suggested that the project might involve an off-road vehicle to enhance Canada's Arctic sovereignty, capitalizing on increased defence spending as Ottawa aims for 5 per cent of GDP by 2035. Mr. Volpe said: "We need national projects. It's not going back to normal."