MCGUINTY DOWNPLAYS LOOMING JOB CUTS (AGAIN)
Over 20,000 job losses possible while McGuinty refuses to show compassion for families
(Queen's Park) - Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory urged Dalton McGuinty today to stop brushing aside questions about thousands of job losses and explain to Ontarians how his government plans to deal with the effects of those lost jobs.
"Dalton McGuinty has shown absolutely no compassion or understanding for the thousands of people who will be facing job losses this Christmas," said Tory. "His reaction to date has been his typical 'don't worry be happy' line to Ontarians. There are a lot of people worried and it's time this premier started showing some leadership."
Yesterday Dalton McGuinty referred to the 3,660 job losses announced at General Motors as "a little bit of contraction" and said Ontarians can take "consolation" that the economy can withstand the plant closures. In Question Period today, Tory pointed to those layoffs, the potential of 21,000 spin-off job losses and several other job loss announcements around the province, including:
- 550 employees at the Cascades coated paper plant in Thunder Bay;
- 125 employees at the World's Finest Chocolate factory in Cambellford; and,
- 60 employees at the Prescott Shirt Company.
"Dalton McGuinty's responses today were an embarrassment and no consolation whatsoever for Ontarians who will be losing their jobs in Campbellford, Prescott, Thunder Bay, Oshawa and St. Catharines," said Tory. "It's time for the McGuinty Liberals to take their head out of the sand, have a plan for the economy and for the Premier to start showing he cares about Ontarians losing their jobs."
