NDP demands auto strategy from Wynne government to defend Ontario’s jobs and industry

During question period today, NDP MPPs Percy Hatfield (Windsor-Tecumseh), and Taras Natyshak (Essex), demanded the Wynne government provide an auto strategy to defend Ontario’s jobs and industry, as newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will not support existing North American trade deals.

“We’ve lost far too many manufacturing jobs in this province. Unifor has settled a new contract with the American-based auto industry. Ottawa isn’t doing anything to protect auto jobs. President-elect Trump is threatening to tear up existing trade contracts,” Hatfield said. “What is the Wynne government doing to protect and grow Ontario’s automotive industry? We need an automotive strategy and we need it now.”
The Ontario NDP has been demanding that the Wynne government  develop an automotive strategy for years.  Hatfield and Natyshak reiterated that demand today.
“The premier’s appointed so-called auto czar has been absolutely silent.  There is no automotive strategy in the province of Ontario. Let’s be frank. It’s been left up to the workers in those plants to fend for themselves against market conditions, to make themselves productive, despite no action on the part of this government,” Natyshak said.

“Crossing your fingers and hoping for the best is not an automotive strategy. We need a plan, we deserve a plan that addresses the skyrocketing prices of hydro, makes us the most productive place to manufacture automotive parts, aerospace parts. We can do that, but we need leadership from the provincial government.”

“When is this government going to get to the table and devise an automotive policy that protects workers in the province of Ontario?” Natyshak asked.