For Immediate Release
March 12, 2009
Government Minister becomes indignant, rude when pressed on plan for US Steel jobs
Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett clearly struck a sore spot with Economic Development Minister Michael Bryant this morning when pressing him for answers on the idling of US Steel jobs in Nanticoke and Hamilton.
“Twelve-hundred steelworkers from Lake Erie Steel attended a meeting this past Monday in my riding to hear the latest on the idling of our area’s largest employer, US Steel - As the Simcoe Reformer reports, these people walked out of that meeting filled with doubt, uncertainty and anger.’” Barrett informed the Legislature. “Acting Premier do you plan on abandoning these steel workers, just as you abandoned the 300,000 people in the manufacturing sector who lost their jobs before them?”
In responding to Barrett’s questions, the Minister lashed out, deriding the Haldimand-Norfolk representative’s question and hurling accusations. He stopped just short of swearing at the member.
“Speaker, what a bunch of……,” Bryant snarled before Minister Jim Bradley interjected, “Baloney.”
“I’m sure idled steelworkers phoning my office will take cold comfort in your opening comment there,” Barrett replied. “Three quarters of people in Ontario realize this government has no plan. Steelworkers need an industrial plan; they need a strategy.”
“You saw this meltdown coming, and instead of setting aside $27 billion, the extra revenue for these tough times, you spent it. Please explain to these steelworkers in my riding why you have mismanaged Ontario’s spending so badly that you now have nothing left to help when they need it most.”
Bryant again lashed out telling MPP Barrett he was, “playing politics” before attacking US Steel management, “The very least that the management can do is come to the table and talk about solutions with people who know how to come up with solutions.”
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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at:
(416) 325-8404,
(519) 428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629
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