MPP Arnott demands action as “Buy American” policy threatens local business

As protectionist American trade policy threatens local jobs at Hayward Gordon Limited in Halton Hills, Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott is demanding action from the McGuinty government.

“Good jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate,” said Mr. Arnott, noting that Ontario’s unemployment rate is now higher than the national average. In a statement today in the Legislature, Mr. Arnott criticized the McGuinty government for its lack of any effective response to U.S. protectionist measures.

Mr. Arnott made the following remarks:

“Mr. Speaker, the McGuinty Liberal government is asleep at the switch while a company in my riding is in real trouble. Hayward Gordon Limited, located in the Town of Halton Hills, is a maker and supplier of pumping and mixing equipment for municipal water and wastewater treatment plants.

“Until recently, 75 percent of its pumps have been sold into the U.S. market. But today these exports, 75 good jobs and the company’s future are all at risk because of a protectionist United States Congress and its new “Buy American” laws. This hardly seems like free trade.

“Mr. John Hayward, the company’s president, has been in frequent touch with me since the beginning of March. He has written the Premier many times seeking the help of the provincial government, as have I. I have also spoken directly to the Minister of Economic Development on March 12th. In response, to put it mildly, we have been given the brush-off.

“John Hayward says while he appreciates my efforts on his behalf, he’s very disappointed with the lack of leadership and action from the provincial government. Mr. Hayward says, “Ontario is utterly absent from the issue and are not at all engaged in protecting the interests of its companies affected by U.S. protectionism.”

“Now the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters are joining municipalities, including the Town of Halton Hills, to urge this government to get engaged and see what can be done to help. Let’s hope Premier McGuinty will do just that—before even more good jobs are lost by his lackadaisical approach to leadership.”

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