Open Letter to the Premier of Ontario

Queen’s Park
August 30th, 2006

The Hon. Dalton J. P. McGuinty
Premier of Ontario
Rm 281, Main Legislative Building
Toronto, ON M7A 1A4
Dear Premier,

I am writing once again to call upon your Government to take immediate action and respond to the crippling job losses in Ontario’s manufacturing sector.

In Perth-Middlesex, a Riding adjacent to mine, published reports today indicate more than three hundred automotive jobs are going to be lost at Dura Automotive Systems Inc., and Dana Corp. Responding in today’s Globe and Mail, your Minister of Economic Development, Joe Cordiano, is quoted as saying: “I’m concerned about it…I’m concerned about the job losses, that’s the biggest concern.”

He should be concerned. But these workers and their families need more than his expression of concern. Ontario’s communities need leadership and action by the Provincial Government to encourage job creation and retain the manufacturing jobs we have.

In my own riding of Waterloo-Wellington, the urgency of this issue is hitting home. Last month, 1,100 workers lost their jobs at the Michelin BF Goodrich tire plant in Kitchener. Yesterday we learned that this company will soon be announcing an expansion of its tire manufacturing capacity in the Province of Nova Scotia, creating new jobs there as it sheds jobs here.

When will your Government acknowledge that job creation and economic growth can never be taken for granted?

Over a year ago, in May of 2005, I tabled a Private Member’s Resolution in the Legislature calling for the all-party Finance Committee to lead a public discussion on jobs and economic competitiveness in our manufacturing sector.

I have repeatedly drawn your attention to this Resolution in the House. It is supported by leading organizations with a stake in our manufacturing economy. These include the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Canada’s Chemical Producers, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, the CD Howe Institute, the Employer’s Advocacy Council, and the Ontario Real Estate Association. Other complimentary Resolutions have been brought forward by the Official Opposition and debated in the Legislature.

I’m very disappointed that to date, your Provincial Government has not responded in any meaningful, effective way to this jobs crisis.

So I ask you on behalf of workers in my riding, those who have lost their jobs or are concerned that they will in the near future: When will you show leadership by initiating a public discussion of the jobs issue by a Legislative Committee? When will you articulate a plan to address the fundamental economic challenges that our manufacturing companies are facing?

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Ted Arnott, MPP

Waterloo-Wellington