QUEENS PARK – Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak and PC Economic Development Critic Monte McNaughton hosted a conference call today following the release of Paths to Prosperity: Advanced Manufacturing for a Better Ontario, the thirteenth in a series of policy white papers. Ontario PC Leader.
“The big picture is our plan is big, bold, and optimistic, and came bring in 300,000 good high paying manufacturing jobs,” stated the PC Leader.
Hudak says, “Some think Ontario can’t compete in the global economy, and I have one think to say, they are wrong”.
“Driving manufacturing drives the economy, international trade and research”.
“If Ontario can capture six percent of the manufacturing jobs in North America, we will achieve our goal, it is realistic”.
There is a new availability of natural gas near Ontario that will lower costs for manufacturers. We need to move quickly to seize the opportunities.
Ontario needs a government that believes in manufacturers. We can be the manufacturing heartland of North America,” states Hudak.
Monty McNaughton says, “ I have seen first hand what happens when government treats manufacturing as an afterthought. Instead of bold new ideas and action, we see studies and commissions, and a huge growth in the size of government”.
“We need to think big in Ontario,” states McNaughton.
“Three hundred thousand new jobs is achievable”.
- Power rate for business.
- Invest in plants and equipment
- Cut through unneccesary red tape
- Cut the gridlock
- Expand trade to Alberta
The manufacturing sector also needs natural resources.
“The Ring of Fire is a once in a century opportunity. You need a Premier who really understands the Ring of Fire. I would put a Minister in charge who would let nothing stand in the way,” adds Hudak. “The Ring of Fire can be the equal to the Oil Sands in Alberta in economic impact”.
“Ontario needs to share the royalties with First Nations and when they have a skin in the game, they will help make this project happen”.
“We need a public private partnership for transportation, to get the resources to markets”.
Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Michael Gravelle has over the past months, been sharing how progress is coming on the Ring of Fire. A great deal of work is needed for this massive project to come together. Gravelle is focused on getting the project right.
Back in May, Gravelle shared in an interview with NetNewsLedger there was a historic meeting with Matawa First Nations, Premier Wynne and his ministry. “There had been no similar meeting for over forty years,” shares the Minister. There had been both formal and informal talks, but not a formal meeting like that.
Gravelle states that “Cliffs Natural Resources and Noront Resources are both seeing the importance of engaging with First Nations, and getting this done right”.
The Minister also is looking forward to a larger role from the federal government in the Ring of Fire.
Manufacturing in the 21st Century is knowledge driven
Hudak made the comments during the release of Paths to Prosperity: Advanced Manufacturing for a Better Ontario – the thirteenth in a series of policy proposal papers. To read a copy, please visit: www.ontariopc.com/paths
A thriving manufacturing sector drives productivity, R&D and trade. “Whether it’s life-saving drugs, fuel-efficient automobiles or the latest subway cars, Ontario can and will establish itself as a home for high-quality, high-value manufacturing jobs,” Hudak added.
“Those who say we can’t compete with China, well if it is in cheap plastic toys at the Dollar Store or cheap t-shirts, maybe they are right, but when it comes to more advanced products, Ontario can lead,” concluded Hudak.
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