In the longer-term we will have increased the productive capacity of our economy, moved to a more sustainable economy, and have made these investments at a very reasonable cost given the slack in the economy;

c. With the difficulties in credit markets, the government should use this opportunity to set aside its P3 financing policy for public infrastructure investments;

d. This investment strategy should include a green retrofit program for buildings in municipalities, universities schools and hospitals as well as Ontario government buildings to increase their energy efficiency;

e. All infrastructure and housing spending should include buy Canadian rules.

4.  We need to keep the lights on in Ontario’s manufacturing base. The credit crisis, and the bottom falling out of US demand, has threatened Ontario businesses that will be profitable after the recovery. There is a need to identify who these viable businesses are; and identify strategies to keep these productive capacity in the province. Closing plants and shipping equipment to China is not the desired response to short-term problems, no matter how large they are. Ontario should establish a Jobs Commissioner, who has the flexibility needed to determine what kinds of assistance might be required and desirable.  And, has the ability to strengthen adjustment assistance for workers who will lose their jobs. 

5.  The financial crisis has made clear what the labour movement has been saying for years. Saving for retirement is something that we should not be doing on our. While the rewards can be large in boom times, the risks are far too large in bad times. We need strong regulation to enhance security for those with defined benefit pension plans, and we need to expand pension plan coverage and security for those without. 

6.  Finally, we need a partner in the federal government; we need a partner that will work for fairer trade deals, to make sure that the two-thirds of unemployed Ontarians ineligible for Employment Insurance benefits get access, and to partner in the important rebuilding process that we are embarking on.

Thank you for your time.