PICKERING -- Mason Windows Inc. is one of many local manufacturers that the housing business helps fuel.

And it’s been helping the housing business by supplying windows locally since it set up shop on Brock Road in Pickering in 1973.

“In Durham Region, we buy a lot of things from local manufacturers and we support local manufacturers,” said Craig Marshall, president of Marshall Homes.

Minister of Industry Jim Prentice stopped off at Mason Windows on Friday afternoon, along with Ajax-Pickering Conservative candidate Rick Johnson,  to discuss Canadian manufacturing and said how exciting it is to see Canadians manufacturing products and shipping them across North America.

“This is a great Canadian success story and it’s a pleasure to be here,” Mr. Prentice said, referring to Mason Windows.

Bob Mason, president of the company, said it supplies windows to southern Ontario, the Ottawa region and Michigan.

“We’ve been around a long time and we plan on being around a lot longer,” he said in an interview.

Mr. Prentice also said the reduction of the GST to five per cent has benefitted Canadians.

Mr. Marshall said the GST has indeed been a help to the housing industry during the difficult times in Canada’s building and housing market due to increased development charges.

The five per cent savings ends up shaving about $8,000 off of a $400,000 home, which can help new homeowners purchase other necessities they need when starting up a new home, he said.