Hudak fails to understand importance of investing in Ontario economy

TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2014 /CNW/ - Every serious political leader around the world understands that countries need to invest in their manufacturing sectors to ensure the success of those sectors - except Tim Hudak, leader of Ontario's Progressive Conservatives.

Hudak says he does not support investing in Chrysler's plants in Windsor and Brampton. Chrysler is currently in discussions with both the provincial and federal governments regarding the company's request for a reported $700 million to enhance its proposed investment of $2.3 billion in its Windsor-based operation and another $1 billion in its Brampton plant.

Federal Industry Minister James Moore has stated that such an investment would likely secure the Windsor plant for another 30 years.

"Where there are strong manufacturing sectors, there are good jobs which benefit workers, their families and their communities," says Unifor National President Jerry Dias.

For every job in a major auto assembly plant, another nine jobs are created in spin offs.

"Mr. Hudak clearly does not understand what is at stake here. Investing in Chrysler means thousands of good jobs - not just in the auto plants, but in parts manufacturing and throughout communities," says Dias. "This investment will mean good union and non-union jobs. It will mean workers in those communities will have money in their pocket to spend in their communities at local businesses."

"Public investments in major auto facilities are typically repaid to the public purse within three-four years by the economic activity generated - which is why serious political leaders support smart, strategic investments that generate good jobs and support economic development," says Dias.

"Mr. Hudak's failure to understand the importance of investing in the auto sector is just another indication that he is not up to the job of leading this province. Mr. Hudak is no leader at all," says Dias.

"Mr. Hudak has declared that he is going to create a million jobs in this province. His plan seems to be to further cut corporate taxes, despite the fact that Ontario has one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the G7, close his eyes, cross his fingers and trust that companies will just create jobs," says Dias.

"We have been doing that for the last 20 years and it has not worked. This is just further evidence that Mr. Hudak is out of touch and is not up for the job of leading Ontario," says Dias.

SOURCE: Unifor

Katie Arnup 416-333-8097 or [email protected].