NDP Economic Development Critic Paul Miller says Dalton McGuinty is being irresponsible by ignoring the warnings that Ontario is heading into a recession with reports of another 2,000 manufacturing jobs to be lost in the GTA.

“As Ontario’s manufacturing recession continues, Dalton McGuinty is being negligent by refusing to take action to sustain jobs and keep Ontario families working. How many more people have to lose their jobs before Dalton McGuinty starts taking some action to protect workers in this economic storm?” asked Miller.

Miller was reacting to news that Ontario’s GDP fell 0.3 per cent between
January and March and that an estimated 2,000 GTA area jobs are poised to vanish as a result of Vaughan-based Progressive Moulded Products Ltd. ceasing production of plastic instrument panels and consoles at 11 small plants in Concord and Rexdale.

“With the economy plummeting and job losses increasing, it’s outrageous that the McGuinty Liberals continue to stand on the sidelines,” said Miller.

Miller called on the McGuinty Liberals to make revitalizing Ontario’s manufacturing and resource sector and helping working families a priority for the McGuinty government. Miller also re-iterated the NDP’ s long-standing call for a new industrial hydro rate, refundable manufacturing investment tax credit, pension and wage protection, and a “Buy Ontario” transit purchasing policy.

”With manufacturing job loss announcements coming almost on a daily basis, Dalton McGuinty’s lack of economic policies is driving manufacturing jobs out of Ontario by the tens of thousands and leaving workers out to dry,” said Miller.