Conservative bully tactics fail unemployed Canadians

The NDP is decrying the Conservatives’ decision to not only push through a program that will snatch $300 million from the provinces’ skills training budget but to now impose a deadline for the provinces to get onboard or get left behind.

“Instead of sitting down with their provincial counterparts to negotiate and find a compromise that will actually help unemployed Canadians find work , the Conservatives are trying to bully the provinces,” said NDP Employment and Social Development critic Jinny Sims (Newton – North Delta). “This do-nothing budget fails families in need.”

Last year, without consulting the provinces, the Conservatives announced the Canada Jobs Grant program which will claw back money already allocated to the provinces. They also spent $2.5 million advertising the grant before it even existed.

“The Conservatives’ failure to negotiate in good faith with the provinces leaves Canadian job-seekers in worse shape,” said NDP deputy Employment and Social Development critic Sadia Groguhé (Saint – Lambert). “The Conservatives must go back to the drawing board and find a plan that puts Canadians first.”