Statement from PC Economic Development, Employment & Infrastructure Critic Monte McNaughton on November Job Numbers

“The job numbers released today unfortunately show that Ontario’s unemployment rate increased in November.

The Auditor General’s report this week highlighted that Ontario has had the third worst record of private sector job creation in Canada since 2000. It appears the Liberals intend to continue this trend, as our economy lost a further 36,400 private sector jobs this month.

Today’s job losses report confirms what the Ontario PC Caucus has said all along: the Liberal Government is incapable of developing a long-term plan to grow the economy and create jobs.  The Auditor General’s review of Ontario’s Economic Development and Employment Programs confirmed this.

The report revealed that 80% of government investment went to an invite-only Liberal list. The Ministry couldn’t even provide the Auditor General the criteria it used to identify businesses they invited to apply, or whether the handout recipients actually needed the money.  A complete lack of evaluation or oversight has resulted in the Ministry having no information on whether any jobs that were initially created or retained are permanent.

Meanwhile, small and medium sized businesses, which are vital to Ontario’s economy, represent only 4% of total ministry funding. Rather than ignoring small and medium sized businesses, it is time that this Liberal government harnessed their value and job creation potential.

It should go without saying that the Ministry of Economic Development should be ensuring that its programs benefit the economy.  Apparently, that’s not the case with this government. The Auditor General said that the Wynne Liberals have not even set a goal for minimum GDP growth or unemployment rate reductions.

Like everything this government does, the Auditor General’s report confirms that their economic development strategy is simply press release politics.  They’ve even gone so far as announcing and re-announcing the same funding.

Time and time again, the Liberal Government has proven its inability to manage the Ontario economy and successfully encourage job creation.  If Kathleen Wynne was serious about creating economic growth in Ontario, she should be ensuring hydro is affordable, tax rates are competitive, and that businesses aren’t choked by red tape in our province.

It’s clear the Wynne Liberals aren’t in it for the people of Ontario anymore.”