WINDSOR - In the wake of the Chrysler’s decision to eliminate the third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant, New Democrat Industry and Automotive Critic Brian Masse (Windsor West) blasted the government for their inaction and lack of a national auto strategy.

“This government is overseeing the death of the auto sector in Canada, and it’s killing the communities which rely on it,” said Masse. “More than a decade of neglect and inaction lead to this. All I can think about are the thousands of people in the Windsor area who are affected by this outcome. The community will never be the same,” he added.

Chrysler Canada announced yesterday that they will cut 1,200 jobs at the Windsor Assembly Plant by eliminating the third shift. Canadian communities in the last five years have lost approximately 350,000 manufacturing jobs and Windsor alone has lost over 35% of its automotive jobs.

“The Minister is on TV from Washington saying they’re ‘trying to find a way to be helpful’. Let me help him out, the answer is a national auto strategy,” stated Masse.

“Do we have to lose the entire automotive and manufacturing industries in this country before Harper's government will act?” he added.