Skip to content

Harper trashes Canadian jobs

Harper trashes Canadian jobs It is disturbing to watch $274 million being spent elsewhere when there are more-than-capable Canadian companies in need of work. At a time when the Canadian manufacturing industry is in dire need of some good news, our fede

Harper trashes Canadian jobs

It is disturbing to watch 4 million being spent elsewhere when there are more-than-capable Canadian companies in need of work.

At a time when the Canadian manufacturing industry is in dire need of some good news, our federal government has made the decision to build 1,300 military vehicles in the United States.

What kind of message does this send?

Stating that “Canada’s open for business,” then taking your business elsewhere, is a direct slap in the face to all Canadians. The economic spin-off of spending this money in Canada, and keeping Canadians working cannot be overstated. Just think of the amount of payroll taxes the government would collect by having these vehicles built in Canada. Think of the amount of jobs that could be saved at a time when businesses are closing their doors or moving elsewhere.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay tells us to keep this in perspective, that this is one contract for one vehicle. Yet when you look back at the purchases his Conservative party has made while in office, including buying intercity buses from Germany, and having our Olympic athletes dressed in Chinese-made clothing, it becomes clear that this is becoming the norm.

When another factory closes and thousands more of us are put out of work, remember decisions like these, and who is making them.

Greg Booker

Lakeshore, Ontario