NDP Transportation Critic Gilles Bisson called on the McGuinty Liberals to support his ‘Buy Ontario’ Private Members Bill introduced today that will help sustain good manufacturing jobs in Ontario.

“I am pleased to introduce a ‘Buy Ontario’ bill because Ontario is in desperate need of a real strategy to sustain and create good manufacturing jobs,” said Bisson. “Restoring a ‘Buy Ontario’ plan will sustain jobs that exist now, stimulate the manufacturing sector, and ensure Ontario’s continued leadership in the manufacturing sector.”

Ontario had a successful “Buy Ontario” plan for many years before the McGuinty Liberals axed it in 2005. Other provinces and jurisdictions elsewhere in the world have ‘buy local’ programs.

If implemented, the NDP’s ‘Buy Ontario’ plan will require municipalities and regional transit authorities to buy mass transit vehicles whose final assembly is done in Ontario and where at least 50 per cent of the total dollar value of the transit contract reflects parts or labour originating in Canada.

“A ‘Buy Ontario’ plan is supported by labour groups, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Manufactured and Exporters Association and most of all – workers,” said Bisson.

“If the government is serious about protecting Ontario’s manufacturing jobs, it will have no problem with passing this legislation,” he added.

Bisson’s bill will be debated at the Legislature on Thursday, March 20. Bisson called on Premier McGuinty, Conservative Leader John Tory and all MPPs to commit to sustaining manufacturing jobs in Ontario, starting with passing the ‘Buy Ontario’ bill.

“New Democrats are putting working families first. This ‘Buy Ontario’ plan is good for workers, businesses, communities and Ontario,” said Bisson.