Ontario PCs Seek Firm Commitment on GM’s Oshawa Plants

PC Economic Development, Employment & Infrastructure Critic Monte McNaughton wants firm commitments on the future of both plants; thousands of well paying jobs at stake.

OSHAWA, ON – Today, MPP Monte McNaughton pressed Liberal Minister of Economic Development, Employment & Infrastructure Brad Duguid to obtain firm commitments on the future of the GM Oshawa Assembly plants.

“GM’s Oshawa production plants are key sites and major employers in the GTA, but we also know that they have an uncertain future,” said McNaughton. “In November we saw 1,000 people lose their jobs, and we know that production of the Chevy Impala, Buick Regal and Cadillac XTS will be winding down in 2016. That is why it’s vitally important for the Ontario government to obtain a firm commitment on the future of these important plants, and the thousands of good jobs that go along with it.”

The Oshawa Production plants previously produced the Chevrolet Camaro until production was moved to a Michigan plant, costing about 1000 people their jobs in November. GM is planning to stop producing three other cars that are currently on Oshawa assembly lines later this year, namely the Chevy Impala, Buick Regal and Cadillac XTS. GM has previously said that no decision on the plants will be made until after it concludes union negotiations later this year. “During the previous economic downturn, the federal and provincial governments helped keep the GM Oshawa Assembly plants up and running by pumping billions of dollars into GM to keep it afloat,” said McNaughton. “What we need now is an understanding that GM wants to continue to work with Canada and wants to continue to work with Ontario. What we need is a firm commitment towards the future of these important plants. The people of Oshawa, Whitby, Durham and the entire GTA deserve no less.”

After the shift in Camaro production, the two GM Oshawa plants continue to employ approximately 2,700 people. The Oshawa consolidated plant first announced its closing in 2005, and has since given itself five life extensions. The lack of new products has raised significant fears about the future of the Oshawa operations in 2017 and beyond.

“Approximately 350,000 manufacturing jobs have already been lost since this Liberal Government took power. Our province and the Region of Durham can’t afford any more,” said Lorne Coe, PC Candidate in the February 11 Whitby-Oshawa provincial by-election. “Sadly we continue to see examples of how bad Liberal policies have impacted Ontario every single day. The Government has the responsibility to create the conditions for businesses to succeed.”