Ontario slipping as Canada’s industrial powerhouse, says MPP Arnott

Concerned about substantial job losses in Ontario’s manufacturing sector, Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott is calling on the Ontario Government to take corrective action as soon as possible.

Last May, Mr. Arnott tabled a resolution in the Ontario Legislature aimed at boosting the Province’s economic competitiveness and supporting job creation.

“This month’s jobs report by Statistics Canada should sound an alarm bell for the Provincial Government. Last month alone Canada lost 26,000 manufacturing jobs. This is more than a mere one-month hit - it’s a discouraging trend. Ontario has lost 52,000 of these key manufacturing jobs over the past year,” observed Mr. Arnott.

“For years, our Province was the industrial powerhouse of the Canadian economy. Under this Government’s watch, we’re seeing Ontario slip drastically in that regard,” he added. “The Globe and Mail says that Ontario put in the weakest performance in the country.”

Mr. Arnott’s Private Member’s Resolution reads as follows: That in the opinion of this House, the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs should immediately begin an investigation into Ontario's industrial and economic competitiveness, to develop an action plan to maintain and expand our domestic and international markets in the coming years.

Mr. Arnott is consulting with business leaders and organizations on his initiative. He has recently received written endorsements from Canada’s Chemical Producers, the C.D. Howe Institute, and the Employers’ Advocacy Council.

“How many lost jobs will it take before the McGuinty Government realizes that manufacturing is essential to our quality of life? Industrial job creation cannot be taken for granted just because we live in Ontario. The Government must address the issues raised by my resolution when the House resumes this fall,” Mr. Arnott stated.

The Ontario PC Caucus is developing policies through the Task Force for Economic Development. Mr. Arnott is serving as Caucus Co-Chair of the Task Force with MPP Jim Flaherty. Mr. Arnott is asking people to support his resolution on competitiveness by contacting him through his website at www.tedarnottmpp.com or contacting his Waterloo-Wellington Riding office at 1-800-265-2366.