(Queen’s Park) – Garfield Dunlop, MPP stood up in the house today and drew attention to the 150, 000 jobs that have been lost under McGuinty’s watch. Mr. Dunlop further noted that Windsor has an unemployment rate of nearly 10%, which is an embarrassment for an area represented by two Cabinet Ministers.
Mr. Dunlop’s statement is enclosed.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

You may recall the September 9, 2004 announcement when the Minister of Community and Social Services decided to eliminate over 2000 jobs at Orillia, Smith Falls and Chatham by 2009.

Mr. Speaker – the City of Orillia and area are losing 700 jobs and a 29 million dollar payroll with the closing of the Huronia Regional Centre.

Imagine, evicting some of the most vulnerable people in our society just so that she could receive a standing ovation from an agency organization, that stood to gain financially.

Well, Mr. Speaker, we can now be assured that the announcement was a failure, as family organizations and ministry staff have been handcuffed by a mean spirited and cruel closure process.

But now Mr. Speaker, that same Minister is responsible for Economic Development and Trade. Perhaps she can explain to the legislature who she is going to try and blame for the loss of 13, 000 manufacturing jobs in Ontario last month - Will it be Stephen Harper? George Bush? Or maybe Mike Harris? Who, by the way created 1, 000, 000 net new jobs when he was Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the City of Windsor is now close to a 10% unemployment rate. Perhaps the City Fathers could meet with the Minister in between her global junkets to find out just what Dalton McGuinty and his Minister are doing to preserve good well paying manufacturing jobs here in Ontario.

We know that business leaders have lost faith with the scandals that haunt the Liberal Government.

We know that business leaders see no business plan to help them - they only see more red tape, an erratic and undependable electricity sector and skyrocketing taxes that are driving jobs away.

We are now the stalled engine that is dragging down the other provincial economies.

With over 150, 000 manufacturing jobs lost in the last 3 years, it is time to elect a John Tory Government and make Ontario, once again, the engine that drives the Canadian economy.

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For further information contact:

Garfield Dunlop
705-327-4500 (cell)