NDP Leader Howard Hampton blasted Dalton McGuinty and his government for continuing to do nothing as Ontario’s manufacturing recession claimed another 800 jobs with yesterday’s news that Deere & Co. is shutting its Welland plant.

“Jobs are going up in flames and the Welland announcement is just the latest in a long summer of job loss announcements. Ontarians want to know: What is Dalton McGuinty’s jobs strategy?,” asked Hampton.

“The McGuinty Liberals can’t let global corporations keep doing what they want while Ontario communities are being decimated with job losses. We wouldn’t be in this situation if the McGuinty government had a strong, effective jobs strategy like they have in neighbouring provinces. The Premier has a lot of explaining to do for his inaction and ineptitude when it comes to protecting Ontario’s manufacturing jobs.”

Hampton challenged McGuinty to adopt all or at least some of the ideas in the NDP’s job stimulus plan: a “Buy Ontario” program; an industrial hydro rate; and a refundable manufacturing investment tax credit.

“Dalton McGuinty is free to implement our plan. Why won’t he do it? Why won’t he institute policies that have worked elsewhere?” asked Hampton.

“Today, the Premier is in Mississauga for yet another photo-op. He should take that opportunity to announce that he will implement some of our ideas so that we can get some of the 240,000 Ontarians who have lost their manufacturing jobs since 2003 working again. These workers and their families are looking for help, not a shrug of the shoulder and a ‘you’re on your own’ look from their Premier.”

Hampton has spent the past six months travelling across Ontario to tout his job protection plan. Yesterday, he was in Guelph, which was rocked last week when auto parts maker Linamar announced the cutting of 500 more jobs.

“Communities like Welland and Guelph are desperate for action from the McGuinty government. When a major plant closes, it’s like ripping the heart out of a local community. Small businesses suffer, families move away, schools lose students. Sadly, this is becoming an all too common occurrence in Dalton McGuinty’s Ontario,” said Hampton.