OTTAWA - Yesterday, Brian Masse, New Democrat Industry, Automotive and Border Critic, declared the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science, and Technology’s report on the auto industry “an ineffective sideshow” that does nothing to inform the public of the sector’s real problems nor addresses the industry’s competitiveness and viability needs.”

“What we have is the typical distraction and avoidance. This was an opportunity to dispel misinformation with facts and bring real clarity to the public about the crisis in the auto industry. The report could have provided a comprehensive understanding to Canadians of what needs to be done and why. For example the simple truth that Toyota workers in Canada have the same compensation as Chrysler workers. Instead the report has degenerated into an ineffective sideshow. The supposed opposition Liberals colluded with the Conservatives to guarantee complete inaction,” Masse declared.

The report on the auto industry was the work of several weeks of hearings that included all vehicle manufacturers that assemble in Canada, the parts sector, the mould industry along with various trade associations and the Canadian Auto Workers Union. The report contains four dissenting opinions from each party which is rather unusual. The report was overshadowed by the announcement made yesterday by the US administration and the Canadian federal and Ontario provincial government’s plans concerning the GM and Chrysler.

“Monday’s announcements at least contained some ideas I wrote the Prime Minister back in December. The need for the government to provide liquidity for consumer purchases/leases which is at the root of the crisis facing the industry. Consumers cannot get access to affordable loans/leases due to the credit market problems. But the federal and provincial governments did not go as far as the US administration with regards to warrantees, innovation investments, or even support to suppliers. This reveals a lack of real commitment,” Masse stated.

“The committee had an opportunity to do something of real significance for our auto sector and the public. Instead they decided to create a sideshow. Harper’s Conservatives display the same old inaction, incompetence, and ineptitude of the liberals they replaced,” Masse stated.