February 3rd, 2012
LONDON, Ont. - New Democrat Leadership candidate Paul Dewar has issued the following statement:
“I'm deeply saddened by the closure of Caterpillar’s locomotive plant in London, Ont. My thoughts are with the workers and their families – and a community that is already suffering from high levels of unemployment.
At a time of record high profits and after receiving Conservative corporate tax cuts and a $5 million handout, Caterpillar is shutting down its plant and killing Canadian jobs.
Mr. Harper used the workers of this same plant as a back-drop for his election campaign when he was fighting for his own job. But when it came time to stand up for Canadian jobs, he was nowhere to be seen.
New Democrat members stood in solidarity with the workers. I joined the picket line with London MP Irene Mathyssen, as did many of our party members. We heard about the company’s unfair demands for a 50% cut to worker’s wages, and we called for government action in support of Canadian jobs.
Despite the devastating news today, the government still has a chance to stand up for Canadian jobs. Mr. Harper must now demand that Caterpillar reverse its decision or return the millions of dollars it took from Canadian tax payers.
To the workers and the people of London: New Democrats are with you. We are united in our determination to fight for your jobs. Together, we will stand up to greed and build a stronger, more caring Canada.”
Dewar will hold a fundraiser this Saturday in Sudbury in support of the workers in London. He will be joined by MPs Charlie Angus, Claude Gravelle and Glenn Thibeault.
Yes, that is a good way of putting it: Harper used these workers to brand himself as a man who supports workers but where the rubber actually meets the pavement, he is no where to be found. Thank you fro your article and thank you for having dignity. Best wishes for the future of the NDP and Canada.
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