NDP Leader Howard Hampton brought to the floor of the Legislature his fight for good jobs at Bombardier′s Thunder Bay train plant.

Today in Question Period, Hampton kept his promise to workers by asking the premier to reconsider his unfair transit policies and insist rail cars for Ottawa be built in Thunder Bay, not in the United States. The McGuinty government has provided $200 million for the Ottawa project without getting a guarantee from the municipality the trains will be made in Ontario.

“Workers who are laid-off in Thunder Bay cannot understand why Ontario taxpayers dollars are buying trains from the United States when they can be built right here in Ontario,” Hampton said.

“Will you follow Quebec′s lead and insist that your $200 million investment support Ontario jobs?” Hampton asked.

“Last week, the Quebec Government gave the go-ahead for a $1.2 billion contract for new Montreal Metro Trains to be built by Bombardier in Quebec, to sustain good jobs in Quebec,” Hampton said. “The Quebec government recognizes the economic benefits of having the trains built in the Quebec. Too bad the McGuinty government doesn′t here in Ontario.”

Hampton is urging people who are concerned about this issue to contact Dalton McGuinty and ensure that the Thunder Bay economy is looked after in the awarding of the construction of these rail cars.

“Northerners need to work together to stop the McGuinty government from making another big mistake. Send the premier a message he can′t ignore. Write him, phone him, fax him, e-mail him. Ontario taxpayer money for urban transit should be spent in Ontario to help sustain good jobs and a world-class industry here,” Hampton said.