LETTER — Harper’s jobs plan just isn’t working

LETTER — Re: Fact Check of Harper-McLeod Campaign Messaging:

Households received a government mail out from MP Cathy McLeod claiming:

PM Harper created over 1 million “full-time, high-wage” jobs. Reality: Since Harper came to power in 2006, workers in BC & Ontario have seen their wages go down. The rest of the country saw wages driven by oil, a boom that has since gone bust. Last year, Canada only created 32,000 permanent jobs. Meanwhile, temporary jobs skyrocketed to 110,000.

Employment has not “risen considerably” over the last 5 years. Reality: The percentage of Canadians who have a job is as low as it was at the worst point of the recession (61.3%).

GDP took the deepest plunge in the 1st quarter in nearly 6 years (0.6%). Business investment down, exports for the 2nd quarter in row down, household spending lowest growth in 3 years.

Middle class families are working harder, but falling further behind. Over the last 35 years, while GDP has grown 147%, income for typical Canadian families has actually shrunk by 7%. Household debt is way up and youth unemployment is 15%. Too many jobs are part-time and precarious.

Clearly, Harper’s plan just isn’t working. To grow, Canada needs a strong and thriving middle class. New Democrats will partner with business on the world stage to attract investment, compete and help create export markets in sectors like renewables and use our natural resources prudently. We’ll work with provinces from skills training to clusters of excellence to spur manufacturing, innovation, R&D.

Earlier this year, NDP announced an Innovation Tax Credit to encourage investment in machinery and equipment. We announced tax cuts for small and medium businesses, the backbone of communities and creators of 80% all new jobs. Conservatives voted against it. Weeks later they put our small business tax cut into their budget, but over 3-4 years.

In the NDP – we actually support small businesses and we’ll begin the tax reductions right away – creating good local jobs. Our plan is achievable, effective and affordable.

Working together, we can bring change for a stronger, more prosperous Canada.

BILL SUNDHU
Federal NDP Candidate,
Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo