LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Premier should get to work
Jun 09, 2008 04:30 AM
Re: McGuinty unveils aid for laid-off Ontarians
June 6
While one can only celebrate more retraining dollars for laid-off workers, we need to go further if we want to "recession-proof" the Ontario economy. What we need is a comprehensive jobs plan. We may face some challenges right now, but we have even more opportunities to bolster jobs and job quality.
Where is a "green jobs" plan to put Ontarians to work, fight global warming and shelter industry from $130-a-barrel oil? Where is a plan to not only protect manufacturing jobs, but also to improve retail jobs so workers can sustain their families? Where is a plan to reinforce the public sector as an economic stabilizer for communities facing hardship? Where is a plan to get all Ontarians to give the federal government a swift kick in its right-wing rump and make it live up to its responsibilities to our workforce?
There are a lot of great ideas out there. Premier Dalton McGuinty should invite business, labour, academics, non-governmental organizations and community groups to a summit to debate the best ones.
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President, Ontario Public Service Employees Union, Toronto
