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September 16th, 2019

Justin Trudeau’s No-Strings-Attached Approach Will Continue to Kill Manufacturing Jobs

Back in 2015, Justin Trudeau said his top priority for Southern Ontario was “transitioning away from manufacturing-based employment as a driver in the economy.” (London Free Press)

That’s one promise he actually kept.

Just a few weeks ago, we learned that the Windsor Nemak engine block manufacturing plant will be closing down, putting 270 people out of work. This comes after the Liberals gave $5 million to the company without any guarantee that they would protect jobs. (CTV)

In March, Toyota announced it will move its Toyota RAV4 hybrid production from its Cambridge plant to Kentucky, even after the Liberals gave the company $220 million in 2018. (London Free Press)

In late 2018, the federal government wrote off a $1.1 billion loan to Fiat Chrysler (CBC). A few months later, the company laid off 1,500 workers at its Windsor plant. (CBC)

And the end of GM’s vehicle production line in Oshawa is putting 2,300 people out of work – plus 10-15,000 more jobs at parts suppliers and other businesses. (Global)

Since the Liberals eliminated the standalone Automotive Innovation Fund in 2017, only 3 auto projects have received federal funding under the Strategic Innovation Fund, which has no dedicated funding for auto projects and does not require companies to commit to keeping jobs in Canada. (GoC)

During Windsor West Liberal Candidate Sandra Pupatello’s five years as Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Ontario lost a staggering 224,000 manufacturing jobs. (Statscan)

It doesn't have to be this way.

On Saturday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced he would invest $300 million in an auto innovation strategy that would require companies to create jobs in Canada. (CP)

Windsor West NDP Candidate Brian Masse:

“Justin Trudeau’s no-strings-attached approach has failed. Without tying public investments in innovation to a requirement to create jobs in Canada, our auto sector is at serious risk of more job losses. We’ve got a plan to boost the auto sector while getting real commitments from companies to protect good jobs in our communities.”