QUEEN’S PARK: Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett is pointing to the need for bold reforms to begin the journey to jobs, prosperity and growth – reforms like those that would open up skilled trades to create 200,000 new skilled trades jobs.
“At a time when job creation efforts are urgently required, government and some union leaders have combined to make it more difficult to enter the skilled trades,” Barrett stated. “It’s time to allow our province to benefit from the skills of the next generation of trades workers to get our economy growing again.”
To receive input on the plan to reform skilled trades, Barrett is joining Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Reform Critic Garfield Dunlop, on the ‘Helping Ontarians Enter Skilled Trades Tour’. The tour makes stops on Monday November 5 at 9am at the Dutch Mill Restaurant, Highway 5 in Flamborough – hosted by Opposition candidate Donna Skelly – and 12 noon at Simcoe’s Little River Inn. For more, contact Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, or 1-800-903-8629.
While Ontario has a jobs crisis and a shortage of skilled trades, the government throws up road blocks like the so-called College of Trades – a front for special interests who want to limit labour supply. What’s more, the College is a tax on trades that will result in more workers having to pay hundreds of dollars in annual fees.
“The tax on trades and the College of Trades are examples of how the McGuinty Liberals have failed to take any action to address the made-in-Ontario jobs crisis hurting aspiring trades workers and businesses,” stated Dunlop.
Skilled trades proposals include:
* Scrapping the so-called College of Trades and partnering with colleges and businesses to solve the shortage of skilled workers.
* Reducing the ratio of journeymen to apprentices to one to one, so job creators are allowed to hire more apprentices in the trades to gain experience and build skills.
* Ensure that training certification for trades is based on an unbiased criteria like public safety. Certification decisions should not be influenced by special interest groups who have an incentive to limit access.
Opposition Leader Tim Hudak concluded that “the skilled trades employ some of the most entrepreneurial people in the province. After years of experience, many workers start their own small business and the cycle of job creation continues.”
For background material, visit: www.ontariopc.com/paths-to-prosperity.
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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: (416) 325-8404,
(519) 428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629