“Why did it take more than five months for the Ontario government to open an action centre in Fergus to support laid-off A.O. Smith workers?”
That is the question Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott put to the Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities in the Ontario Legislature during Question Period on Sept. 25.
“More than five months ago, we learned that the A.O. Smith plant in Fergus would cease manufacturing, putting 350 people out of work,” Arnott reminded the Legislature.
“I called upon the government to help our community with training and economic development support. In response, the government promised an action centre to support the displaced workers and help them find jobs.
“Will the minister explain to this House why it took him more than five months to open an action centre to help these A.O. Smith workers?” Arnott asked.
Training, Colleges and Universities minister Brad Duguid replied, “We respond within a matter of hours when these layoff notices are given. We respond by contacting the municipality, and we did in that case; we’ve been working very closely with the mayor and the municipality.
“We respond by contacting the employer. We respond by contacting the workers and their representatives. We don’t take unilateral action and step on the toes of all of the other people in those local communities; we work with them.”
Duguid continued, “There are times when our intentions or our offers to set up things like an action centre are taken into consideration by those on the ground locally and implemented at the time that meets their needs.
“That’s the case here. We’re always there. We’re always available. We’re always ready to respond. We’ll work with that community as best we can to respond to this challenge.”
Arnott responded, “Minister, don’t you dare blame my constituents for your own delays. That is totally unacceptable.”
Arnott also stated that as early as 2005 he brought forward a resolution in the Legislature calling on the Liberal government to have an all-party committee to investigate Ontario’s industrial competitiveness in order to develop an action plan to protect manufacturing jobs in the province.
Although the resolution passed the Legislature, Arnott said the government refused to allow the hearings to take place.
“The Liberals’ inaction and indifference have directly contributed to the loss of 300,000 manufacturing jobs in this province. Even when a plant like A.O. Smith closes, displaced workers wait more than five months for the support that they need,” said Arnott.
“The Premier now says that she will focus on job creation and the economy.
“In light of their disastrous record on jobs, how can the people of Ontario see any light at the end of the tunnel as long as these Liberals remain in power?”
Arnott said he believed the minister could have ensured the action centre was opened sooner.
“When someone loses their job, many can’t afford to wait more than five months before they start looking for a new one,” Arnott said after question period. “They need help immediately.”
While Arnott appreciated the “great work” done by community partners, he said, “We need more support from the Ontario government than we’ve received to date. I want to push them to do more to support our community and our affected families.”
Eric Hoskins, the Minister of Economic Development, Trade, and Employment, was not pleased with Arnott’s comments.
“I take offence at what [Arnott] has just said, because he knows well the number of conversations that the two of us have had, not just specifically about A.O. Smith, but also the efforts that I’ve been making in terms of meeting repeatedly with the local leadership, with the businesses in the area,” Hoskins said.
“I’ve been working hard with the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund. In fact, we’ve made a number of announcements that directly and positively impact the people in the area and the people who are affected by the closure of the Fergus plant.
“I met with AMO (the Association of Municipalities of Ontario); I met with the local leadership as well.”
Hoskins concluded, “Arnott knows well the efforts that I’ve been making and the announcements that we’re hoping will come forward in the foreseeable future that will benefit the people of that important part of the province.”
In a later email, Arnott added Duguid responded to Arnott’s first question, but the second question was referred to Hoskins, “even though the main point I was making fell under the responsibility of the Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities.”
