Ford needs to provide a solution to the auto job losses, not an empty slogan

QUEEN’S PARK — Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath said Doug Ford needs to step up and provide a solution — not just an empty talking point — for the 1,500 workers poised to lose their jobs at Fiat Chrysler.

The job losses come as Chrysler Pacifica sales dip, according to Fiat Chrysler. Until recently, Ontario provided a Green Vehicle Rebate for people that purchased the Pacifica, but Doug Ford cancelled that program.

“Families in Windsor are reeling from last week’s news that their financial stability could be ripped away. The province needs to take action to save these 1,500 good jobs,” Horwath said. “Ford said the auto sector needs to ‘react’ to the market. But, as the auto sector embraces new technology and clean energy, the Ford government axed the Green Vehicle Rebate program designed to drive sales for the Windsor-assembled Chrysler Pacifica.”

Since the Conservatives took office, over 4,000 auto sector lay-offs have been announced, and hundreds of spin-off jobs are expected to follow. When General Motors announced they would be abandoning production after nearly a century in Oshawa, Ford’s response was to throw up his hands.

“Other jurisdictions are fighting GM’s decision to relocate production, but Ford simply shrugged and said, ‘They’re gone. There’s nothing we can do. That ship has sailed,’” Horwath said in question period on Monday, demanding that the government put a plan in place to protect auto jobs.

“Doug Ford needs to formulate a plan to ensure Ontario stays on the cutting edge of the auto manufacturing sector. We need an auto strategy, and we need investments. The NDP won’t stop fighting for these workers and their families.”