MPP Arnott renews fight for manufacturing jobs
Wellington—Halton Hills – Job losses at Chrysler Canada's Brampton assembly plant will hurt local families, says Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott. It's all part of a pattern of manufacturing jobs disappearing from Ontario that should have been addressed years ago, says Mr. Arnott.
“This is devastating news for the families affected, some of whom live right here in Wellington-Halton Hills,” said Mr. Arnott. “I hope this will finally wake up the McGuinty Liberal Government to the urgency of the crisis.”
News of the 1,100 lost jobs at Chrysler came on the same day that Mr. Arnott was sworn in to his fifth term in the Ontario Legislature. Mr. Arnott has pressed the Government to recall the Legislature as soon as possible in order to address the manufacturing economy and other issues important to Ontarians.
“Manufacturers today face serious competitiveness challenges,” said Mr. Arnott. “That's why I am renewing my call for the Finance Committee of the Legislature to conduct public hearings immediately and work towards solutions.”
In the spring of 2005, Mr. Arnott tabled a Private Member's Resolution calling for the all-party Finance and Economic Affairs Committee to hold hearings and develop an action plan to save jobs. With support from all three parties, the House passed Mr. Arnott's Resolution. As well, the Finance Committee endorsed his initiative during its pre-budget deliberations. Nevertheless, the Government failed to follow the Committee's advice.
“While autoworkers in Wellington-Halton Hills and Brampton face the immediate consequences of Chrysler's announcement, the ripple effects extend to parts suppliers and, indeed, to the entire economy,” said Mr. Arnott.
Since the beginning of 2005, Ontario has lost more than 153,500 manufacturing jobs, according to PC Economic Development Critic Ted Chudleigh.
“Had hearings been held two years ago, we could have sent a signal that the provincial Government is working to protect our good paying manufacturing jobs,” observed Mr. Arnott. “Instead, we've had more dithering on a problem that they can no longer ignore.”
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