Horwath and Krmpotich vow to roll back Wynne cuts and prioritize youth job creation in the Sault

Sault Ste. Marie  – NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Sault Ste. Marie candidate Joe Krmpotich were in the Sault Wednesday to announce their key commitment to the community: good jobs, right in the Sault -- especially for young people. 

Horwath and Krmpotich delivered that message after a visit to YouLaunch, a youth entrepreneur program within the Sault Ste Marie Innovation Centre, which has seen great accomplishments in creating local youth jobs and new businesses in the Sault.  

 'YouLaunch, by every right, is an Ontario success story.  They have created real jobs for youth, in youth led-businesses. This is exactly the kind of leadership and results young Sault families need in today's challenging work environment,'  Horwath said.

'Unfortunately, two-thirds of the program's core funding will not been renewed by Wynne government despite their accomplishments, and despite the need for more good Sault jobs.'

In less than two years, YouLaunch reached over 6,000 local youth, helped them access $110,000 in grants and promoted Indigenous youth opportunities and excellence. 

'Young people in the Sault need good, stable jobs that allow them to plan for their future, and invest in themselves and our community,' said Krmpotich. 'Sault families want to know that their own kids can stay here, and can raise their own family here.' 

Horwath and Krmpotich said good jobs and careers -- jobs you can raise a family on -- would mean generations of Sault families could stay and thrive.  

 'When a student finishes their education at Sault College, Algoma U, or comes home from school elsewhere, they should be able to find a good job – a career – here in the Sault,' Horwath said. 

'Building opportunities for young people, and creating good jobs for all workers, is my top priority for Sault Ste. Marie. Electing Joe Krmpotich to fight for the Sault is a step forward -- and ensuring YouLaunch and programs like it are properly funded is absolutely critical.'

Krmpotich vowed to take that priority to Toronto.  

'As a Steelworker and a Councillor, I've spent years working to defend and create good jobs here.  And when I join Andrea at Queen's Park, I'll fight every day to make sure every young person who wants to live, work, and build a future here in the Sault has a job that allows them do so.'