I believe the auto sector is as important to Ontario as potash is to Saskatchewan, and oil is to Alberta,” said PC Leader Patrick Brown. “However, as a guy who went to school in Windsor, I’m worried about the fragile state of our auto sector. Ontario’s manufacturing sector is struggling more than any province or comparable U.S. state.

PHOTO CREDIT - OurHometown.ca

Windsor - July 18, 2015 - Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown, along with Ontario PC MPPs Monte McNaughton (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex), Bob Bailey (Sarnia-Lambton), Rick Nicholls (Chatham-Kent-Essex), and Jeff Yurek (Elgin-Middlesex-London), were in Windsor today meeting with auto industry experts to discuss the current state of Ontario’s auto industry.

“I believe the auto sector is as important to Ontario as potash is to Saskatchewan, and oil is to Alberta,” said PC Leader Patrick Brown. “However, as a guy who went to school in Windsor, I’m worried about the fragile state of our auto sector. Ontario’s manufacturing sector is struggling more than any province or comparable U.S. state. This government’s economic policies are making it harder and harder for businesses to operate in Ontario.”

The visit to Windsor by the PC Leader and PC MPPs is timely, with the CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Sergio Marchionne, recently warning the Liberal government that it has made Ontario an unattractive investment. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens supported Mr. Marchionne’s view, adding that the city has recently lost out on major auto investments because of the province’s sky-rocketing electricity prices.

Brown added, “When you have energy prices that aren’t competitive, when you have red tape - the regulatory burden on the auto sector in Ontario is significantly more than it is in any other jurisdiction - it harms business. The ORPP only makes matters worse, and is creating more uncertainty at a time when companies need stability in order to invest.”

“Ontario should be in a position where businesses want to come here, where companies want to invest. We must reduce regulatory burdens and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation by facilitating closer interaction between industry leaders, post-secondary institutions, and the province’s start-ups. The Ontario PC Party believes the province needs sensible, pragmatic solutions to building a better business climate in Ontario: less red tape, more affordable hydro, and better transportation corridors,” Brown concluded.