Ontario’s economy bleeding manufacturing jobs at alarming rate, says MPP Arnott
Government should have listened six months ago

Citing major losses of manufacturing jobs in Ontario, Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott is continuing to criticize the McGuinty Liberal Government for ignoring the problem. Speaking in the Ontario Legislature on November 23rd, he said the Government has done little of substance to protect jobs for the past six months.

Last May, Mr. Arnott brought forward a Private Member’s Resolution recommending the development of a jobs plan for Ontario. His resolution called for immediate action through the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.

“My goal was to support the protection of the manufacturing jobs that we must have in Ontario, and the new ones we will need if we are to enhance our quality of life and our competitive advantage worldwide,” he informed the House.

“Immediate action was needed last spring, and business leaders agreed. My resolution was supported by the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Canada’s Chemical Producers, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, the CD Howe Institute, the Employers’ Advocacy Council, and the Ontario Real Estate Association,” he added.

“In response to my resolution, the Government did nothing. And here we are six months later, Canada’s industrial engine - the Province of Ontario - continues to bleed manufacturing jobs at an alarming rate,” Mr. Arnott continued.

Mr. Arnott then cited an example of job losses in Waterloo-Wellington.

“Glenoit Corporation, formerly known as Borg Textiles, based in Elmira, will be closing its doors just before Christmas resulting in the loss of 77 good jobs. And this week’s announcement by General Motors is a crushing body blow to the GM workers and Ontario’s economy. Plants in Waterloo-Wellington, like Budd Automotive, Lear Seating and Kuntz Electroplating all sell to Big Three auto-makers, and we know that parts suppliers will be affected by any major restructuring of the automotive industry,” he said.

“The Government should have listened six months ago, and better start listening now,” Mr. Arnott warned the Government.

On October 26th 2005, Mr. Arnott again tabled his Private Member’s resolution in the House. It states: 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.