MPP Arnott expresses concern for workers facing job losses at BF Goodrich in Kitchener

Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott delivered the following statement in the Ontario Legislature on April 19th, 2006 concerning the pending closure of BF Goodrich Tire in Kitchener. The plant is located in Waterloo-Wellington. He had previously spoken in the Legislature on this matter on February 13th.

Mr. Ted Arnott (Waterloo-Wellington): Along with my colleagues the members for Kitchener-Waterloo, Elizabeth Witmer, and Cambridge, Gerry Martiniuk, I want to express again in this House our deep concerns for the employees of BF Goodrich Tire in Kitchener.

Earlier this year, we were disappointed to learn that BF Goodrich Tire would be closing down its Kitchener plant this summer, eliminating the jobs of 1,100 workers. This was devastating news for our communities in Waterloo region, but it is the workers themselves and their families who now face the prospect of unemployment or reduced income when the plant closes its doors and locks its gates for the last time on July 22.

These 1,100 workers aren't just statistics; they are the lifeblood of our community -- our volunteers, our neighbours, our friends -- and they need our vocal expressions of empathy and support as they enter this summer of economic uncertainty.

We have received countless letters from BF Goodrich employees, and I talked to the wife of one of them today. These letters ask for the help of the provincial government to stem the tide of manufacturing job losses -- 140,000 since July 2004.

I call upon the government today to act upon my jobs resolution, which has been before the House for 11 months now, and immediately develop an action plan to protect manufacturing jobs in Ontario.