Federal Bus Purchase a Travesty, Desnoyers Says
July 27, 2007
Federal government plans to purchase up to 30 buses from a European company rather than a Canadian manufacturer is a travesty that will mean more hardship for Canadian workers, families and their communities, CAW Quebec Director Luc Desnoyers says.
Public Works Minister Michael Fortier is defending the federal government’s decision to select a German bus maker over two Canadian firms, including Quebec’s Prevost Car Inc. Fortier claims the federal government will save money by purchasing buses from Germany. CAW Local 911 represents workers at Prevost.
Desnoyers said Quebec manufacturing has been hard hit by the rise in the value of the Canadian dollar compared to the U.S., unfair trade agreements and the lack of federal government action to protect manufacturing jobs.
“This latest decision is a travesty for Quebec workers. The awarding of this bus contract to Prevost would have meant up to 60 laid off workers were called back as well as greater security for hundreds of other workers,” Desnoyers said. “The government’s decision doesn’t take into account the loss in tax revenues, lost wages within the community or the social impact on workers and their families.”
Since the beginning of 2007, Quebec has lost 43,500 manufacturing jobs, according to Statistics Canada. The CAW has launched a “Manufacturing Matters” campaign, part of which calls for governments to buy Canadian-made products.
The Department of National Defence says it needs up to 30 buses over the next three years to transport military personnel between bases
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Forget Ford for a fleeting moment, here's Harper's real automotive manufacturing strategy
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4 comments:
"There is a pattern here. Every time Canada is governed by a Conservative government, the economy stalls, jobs disappear and deficits appear on the horizon. Tory times are tough times."
Dear PM: Did it not occur to you that your $300 million vanity election could fund 3.75 Essex Plant Start Ups?
I guess math is not Harper’s strong suit. Maybe that’s how he got duped by Mark Carney’s manufactured tax leakage canard......which to date has caused $2 billion in real annual tax leakage.....that could fund 25 Essex Plant start-ups EACH AND EVERY YEAR, and not just one during Harper’s cycle of fixed elections?
The Harper gov`t remains as short-sighted as ever as they continue to slap the ordinary guy on the street straight in the kisser.
Sending jobs over seas just does not cut it.
The buses were cheaper , it was a better deal , we did it for you.
These guys once again have forgotten the principles of simple economics---more jobs produce wages to happy employees who in turn pay tax to happy governments.
Cheaper in Germany-- yes at first glance.
Canada loses again.
Thanks boys , you have outdone yourselves this time.
Dr Mike Popovich.
I must agree with Gibbs...Tory times are tough times. We should probably get organized and call a conference in Vaudreuil-Soulanges...where Fortier is trying to oust Ms Meili Faille, a fine young politician. She's well respected by the community and should satisfy us by beating up real good Fortier. Let's get the Conservative out!
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