CAW President Applauds Liberal Promise of Manufacturing Fund

TORONTO, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - CAW President Buzz Hargrove applauded an announcement by federal Liberal opposition leader Stéphane Dion to create a $1 billion fund to support manufacturing and promote green production if his party is elected to government.

He commended Dion for recognizing the important role the manufacturing sector plays in the health of the Canadian economy and for having the vision to invest in companies using new technologies to make Canada a leader in green manufacturing.

"This fund would provide a much needed boost to struggling manufacturers and the workers they employ, particularly the auto industry which is grappling with unfair trade, a slowing US economy, a high dollar and environmental challenges," said Hargrove.

He called the announcement a refreshing change from the current government which has so far ignored the plight of struggling industries, despite joint calls for action by industry, labour and other levels of government.

"What we've seen this past week alone should be enough to convince Canadians that this government has no interest in protecting Canadian jobs or industry," said Hargrove.

The promised $1 billion Community Development Trust Fund, announced last week by Harper's Conservative government, would only be implemented if the spring budget is passed. Other politicians have accused Harper of playing partisan politics at the expense of workers.

The CAW has led a campaign to highlight manufacturing job loss and press the government for action addressing unbalanced trade and a soaring Canadian dollar. In the last five years alone, more than 350,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost, with tens of thousands more being lost each month.

Source: CAW

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