President's Message

Labour, business, public sector need a new deal for Ontario

September 23, 2008

History shows that nations that invest in public services are the ones that perform the best economically.

As the United States moves into a recessionary period that threatens to spread here and abroad, we remember that it was the New Deal that enabled the economy to recover from the economic depression of the 1930s.

The New Deal in Canada and the US was based on an activist role for government in the economy, and on a huge investment in public infrastructure and services. (We are reminded of that as the US government now spends billions of taxpayers’ dollars to bail out its private banks.)

We believe it’s time for another new deal in Ontario, not to bail out the private sector, but to reinvest in public services.

That’s why I have called on Premier McGuinty to convene a special roundtable of labour, business and public sector leaders to map out a strategy for the future of our province.

It should be a “good jobs” strategy.

Our well-paid manufacturing jobs are being replaced by part-time, low-paying service jobs. The working poor are now the fastest growing segment of our society.

If we are to eradicate poverty and kick-start the economy, a good place to start is to take measures to create full-time jobs with good salaries and benefits so people can buy the things their families need.

And what Ontario needs now is more quality public services. Over the eight years of the Harris/Eves regime, the public sector share of the Ontario economy was reduced by 25 per cent. It has only slightly recovered since the McGuinty government took office on its promise to rebuild public services. It’s still not healthy.

Mr. McGuinty, it’s time to get everyone together and plan for our future. We’re waiting your call.

In solidarity,

Warren (Smokey) Thomas

President