NDP puts forward motion to protect Canadian jobs

NDP puts forward motion to protect Canadian jobs

Condemns plant closures, calls on Conservatives to strengthen the Investment Canada Act










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February 9, 2012
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OTTAWA – New Democrats today blasted Conservative inaction on jobs, while introducing a motion calling on the government to make changes to the Investment Canada Act to protect Canadian jobs.

“Stephen Harper is failing our workers, our families and our communities,” said New Democrat Leader Nycole Turmel. “We saw it with Caterpillar and with White Birch—the Conservatives are sitting on their hands while foreign investors ship good Canadian jobs abroad.”

The motion condemns the recent plant closures in London and Quebec City, which killed more than 1,000 jobs. It gives the government 90 days to propose amendments to the Investment Canada Act to ensure foreign buyers are held to “public and enforceable” commitments on the net benefit to Canada and the protection of Canadian jobs.

The motion was put forward by Irene Mathyssen (London Fanshawe) and seconded by Raymond Côté (Beauport—Limoilou), who have led the charge standing up for Caterpillar and White Birch workers.

“We’ve lost 400,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs since Stephen Harper took office,” Turmel said. “All this government has to show for it is a series of reckless corporate handouts to its friends—to the same companies that are shipping our jobs away. It’s shameful and it’s wrong.”

New Democrats have called for a practical jobs plan that offers targeted tax credits for new hires, gives small businesses a boost and invests in job-creating infrastructure. MPs voted unanimously for the New Democrat plan in October, but Stephen Harper has refused to act.

“Families are falling behind while this government puts its well-connected friends first,” Turmel said. “It’s time to stop the inaction, protect workers and families and keep good jobs here in Canada.”