Laurie Scott News Article
For Immediate Release
May 23, 2007

Manufacturing and Jobs Plan Needed for Ontario

Being your Member of Provincial Parliament allows me the opportunity to get close to the people and the challenges which our communities are facing. At the forefront of those challenges is the loss of jobs in both the small business and manufacturing sectors.

The small business/agricultural areas are seeing changing markets and sustainability issues; the manufacturing sector throughout Ontario has seen the loss of nearly 140,000 jobs since 2005. The July closing of the Fleetwood RV plant in Lindsay will see the loss of over 300 local jobs. This is a hard-hit to the affected staff and their families, as well as the local businesses that depend on the spin-off of those jobs

Rural and Northern communities are being struck with closures due to ever-increasing energy costs, regulatory burdens and market insecurities. I recognize that the province has created jobs as well, but this does not take away from the pain inflicted on the thousands of families that are without a real source of income.

The time to develop a plan for the plight of these lost jobs is long overdue. A plan that takes into account all of the areas that are suffering from significant employment issues. This plan should include input from local community representatives, elected officials, Ministry officials, company executives, training colleges, universities and trade unions. It calls for a meaningful and funded series of initiatives to assist our struggling communities.

I strongly feel people would take some hope upon seeing specific measures brought forward with the intention of helping families, companies and small businesses in Haliburton-Victoria-Brock and all of Ontario. It may not be the solution, but certainly is a viable, constructive start.

Locally we have some positive work being done by places such as the Fleming College Job Connect, Victoria County Career Services, and Durham College, to name a few. I have also contacted the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities who have responded and are looking to assist impacted workers in adjusting and re-entering the work force. The Economic Development Office of the City of Kawartha Lakes as well as other provincial ministries are engaged to support and address issues created by closures.

One of the key questions we need to ask is where our children and grandchildren will find good paying jobs in the future. It is important that we work together towards viable opportunities for our families and to keep them here, in our communities – so they too have the opportunity to make a real difference.

- 30 -