NDP Economic Development and Trade critic Paul Miller today hammered at the McGuinty Liberals for the staggering job losses.

“The Premier’s economic policies are failing to protect good paying manufacturing jobs in Ontario, resulting in rising poverty rates in Ontario’s manufacturing communities,” said Miller.

Since July 2004, Statistics Canada reports that Ontario has lost over 235,000 manufacturing jobs. In the last two years in Hamilton alone, 16,100
manufacturing jobs have been lost.

Miller said as the unemployment rate increases, workers who’ve lost their jobs are sliding from making ends meet into poverty. Citing the Government’s own statistics, the Ministry of Community and Social Services’ Quarterly Statistical report showed that the number of Ontario Works cases increased in the period January to June 2008, by over 7,000 cases. At the same time, the number of Ontario Works recipients (including children) increased by almost 12,000.

“Ontario needs action now: a $10.25 minimum wage; social assistance rates that cover basic needs; and an adequate supply of affordable housing. The McGuinty Liberals must listen to the voices of low income people, act now and stop sentencing these families to a life of poverty,” said Miller.