NORTH SIMCOE NEWS

QUEEN’S PARK REPORT

As we conclude the first session of the 39th Parliament of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the loss of key manufacturing jobs will be a top priority of the Official Opposition.

To begin with, it is important to note that since January 1, 2005, under the current government, an average of 150 manufacturing jobs per day have disappeared from Ontario.  This translates into approximately 180, 000 jobs, including 24, 7000 jobs in the month of December.

Those jobs are contained in plants of all sizes, from companies with 3 or 4 employees to high-tech assembly lines in large auto-manufacturing plants.  Jobs are being lost as companies simply go bankrupt or close down, while others move to other jurisdictions that offer less red-tape and attractive incentive programs.

During the election campaign, Premier McGuinty announced that he would add another statutory holiday in February called Family Day.  While a day off with pay may seem fine to many, absolutely no consultation took place with those people who will pay for the holiday, the business and industrial community.

Provincially, the negative impact to the Ontario economy is estimated at 2.5 billion dollars to have a statutory holiday in February.

Many business leaders have approached me regarding Family Day and it is clear it will cost many businesses tens of thousands of dollars to compensate their employees.  It will cost one auto parts manufacturer in North Simcoe well over $100, 000 for the holiday.

During the upcoming session of Parliament, we the Official Opposition will press the government to create a more business friendly environment here in Ontario.

It is time to get to work and create jobs.  It is time for the Ontario Government to show the business community that they are appreciated in Ontario.  It is time for incentive programs to be established that will return Ontario to the engine that drives the Canadian economy. 

As we approach the spring budget of 2008-20009, you can expect to hear much more about the need to have the government establish a more innovative and leadership role in job creation here in Ontario.