STONEY CREEK – The Hamilton area will power Ontario’s economy in the 21^st century, but only if we act to reverse the erosion of our province’s once-robust manufacturing sector, which has lost 300,000 jobs under the current government, PC Leader Tim Hudak said today.

“My Ontario will always create and build things in demand around the world, and I’ll put our workers up against anyone,” Hudak said. “But our manufacturing advantages have been beaten down by high taxes, unaffordable energy costs and rigid labour laws.”

That’s got to change, Hudak said, if we are to capitalize on the forecast global increase in consumer demand for goods and services as developing countries grow their economies.

“With its great industrial capacity, the Hamilton area has a foundation for 21^st century manufacturing,” Hudak said. “But we’ve had disappointments too, so Ontario must get back in the game, or these new opportunities will pass us by.

“I’m optimistic that we can stage a manufacturing rebound if we get the basics right – like lower taxes on job creators, more affordable electricity and more flexible workplace rules.”

Hudak’s Paths to Prosperity series, at www.ontariopc.com, proposes these and other bold steps to boost Ontario’s attractiveness to manufacturing and help build our middle class.

“The Liberals running for Premier and the NDP are fuelling our jobs crisis with their old-school mentality that says manufacturing is a thing of the past,” Hudak said. “This approach has driven good jobs away and tells would-be investors to take a pass.

“It’s time for a new path – to position Ontario as a magnet for modern manufacturing and the jobs, prosperity and opportunity that will come with them.”