Marston appointed NDP Steel Critic

MARSTON APPOINTED NDP STEEL CRITIC
Federal NDP shadow cabinet announced today

Ottawa – Hamilton East-Stoney Creek MP Wayne Marston saw his critic responsibilities increase today as the Leader of Canada’s NDP, Jack Layton, named him Steel Critic (Deputy Critic of Industry for Steel). Mr. Marston retains his critic areas of Human Rights, Multiculturalism and Sport.

“I have worked with steelworkers in our community for decades and many of them have supported me as their Member of Parliament. I’m looking forward to working with them in this new capacity as well as the broader group of stakeholders in Canada’s steel industry.” commented Marston on the appointment.

Mr Marston acknowledged that the industry is facing many difficulties at this time. Historically, Canada’s manufacturing sector has generated quality jobs—jobs paying 28% better than average. But in the first six months of 2007, Canada lost 75,700 more manufacturing jobs—bringing us to nearly 300,000 jobs lost since late 2002.

“When Stephen Harper boasts about Canada’s lower unemployment rate, he carefully avoids talking about the quality of jobs available. But I know that steelworkers in Hamilton and elsewhere aren’t fooled: good-paying jobs in this industry are being replaced by insecure service work and self-employment.” added Marston.

“It’s time for a national strategy for our manufacturing sector. A national strategy that encompasses energy prices, infrastructure and unfair trade deals. A national strategy that puts working families first so that at a time that we are supposedly prospering we keep and create good jobs with pensions and benefits instead of losing them.”

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