Former MPP Brad Ward is demanding action to reduce Brantford’s unemployment rate after Statistics Canada reported that Brantford’s unemployment rate was nearly ten per cent, the highest in Ontario.
“The unemployment rate of ten per cent in Brantford is totally unacceptable. If I was an elected official, I would be embarrassed that this happened on my watch. Working people are being laid off through no fault of their own and face a bleak job market. It is even worse for young people who are losing hope they will ever find their first full time job. We cannot allow this to happen and need to reduce the unemployment rate in Brantford-Brant County-Six Nations as soon as possible,” Ward commented. “Our NDP Riding Associations in Brantford-Brant-Six Nations have developed an action plan for all levels of Government to consider. We need to get the unemployment rate down to a more manageable four to six per cent here in our community through the cooperation of all levels of government.”
The action plan includes:
Encourage everyone in our community who is able to consider donations to the local Food Banks and Christmas Baskets programs. During these tough times, the less fortunate need some help putting food on their tables and maybe bring a smile to children’s faces during Christmas.
Local Councils in our area need to urge the Ontario Conservative Government to fast-track amendments to the Municipal Act to allow Local Councils to provide economic benefits locally as part of their tender process. Local Council contracts should go to local companies first, then Ontario companies, then Canadian companies. Local tax dollars should go to local companies and workers as much as possible.
Companies receiving Local Council contracts should use local supplies first, then Canadian resources like steel, aluminum and wood and hire Canadian workers.
Local Councils in our area should develop a list of short term work projects that utilize the unemployed in our community. The Ontario Conservative Government should fund these projects through their 2025-2026 Capital Budget.
The Ontario Conservative Government should divert Skills Development funds to communities with high unemployment like Brantford to assist local businesses with training costs as they hire full time workers who are unemployed. As well, this support should be expanded to include full time entry level jobs for young people.
The Ontario Conservative Government needs to provide additional assistance for local businesses in our community to encourage them to hire apprentices. This will assist young people to enter the job market and develop a skill that will benefit them in the future.
The Ontario Conservative Government needs to ensure that all Provincial Government contracts go to Ontario companies first, then Canadian companies. All companies awarded contracts should be required to use Canadian resources like steel, aluminum and wood and hire Canadian workers.
The Federal Liberal Government needs to suspend any existing Temporary Worker Visas and not issue any new ones in our community. There is a pool of unemployed workers that can fill any positions that companies have as the Temporary Worker Visas are eliminated.
The Federal Liberal Government needs to create a national youth jobs program with funding from the 2025-2026 Capital Budget to provide full time jobs for young people in high unemployment areas particularly in the summer months when young people are trying to earn money for their education.
The Federal Liberal Government needs to ensure that all Federal Government contracts go to Canadian companies first, then to foreign companies that provide the greatest benefit to Canada. All companies awarded contracts should be required to use Canadian resources like steel, aluminum and wood and hire Canadian workers. The proposed Swedish jet fighter purchase from SAAB is a great example how Canada can benefit from a Federal Government contract.
“This action plan is a start to address the high unemployment rate in our community. I support the national capital projects and the Ring of Fire development but we can’t wait years for them to be developed; we need action now. The unemployed and young people looking for a full time job are ready, willing and able to work. All they need is a chance. Let’s get to work by putting people back to work,” concluded Ward.
