Jack's Pack #7 - You should REALLY do this? (en francais)

Jack Pack #7

Statement Adopted by the CAW National Executive Board on the Windsor-Detroit Gateway:

TORONTO, July 7 /CNW/ - The Windsor-Detroit Gateway is the busiest international trade corridor in North America. The Gateway, which lies at the heart of the NAFTA trade route stretching from the Port of Montreal to Mexico, is used by 20 million cars and trucks every year. A quarter of Canada's $1.3 billion daily trade with the United States crosses over the Ambassador Bridge alone, and more moves across the border at other crossings in the Windsor-Detroit area.

Industry, government and the community of Windsor agree that dramatic improvements in efficiency, and concrete steps toward expansion, are absolutely vital. Despite agreement on the need to move forward, progress has stalled. The CAW is urging the federal and Ontario government to recognize that further inaction and delays are jeopardizing the success of the economy and threatening the future of thousands of Canadian jobs.

For complete press release - Canada News Wire


For all the bleating Buzz and the boys and girls at the CAW do about saving Canadian jobs, they missed the boat, train and plane on this one. If this was so important - WHICH IT IS - why didn't you make this a deal breaker in your late night "Lets Make a Deal" session with Jack Pack leader Layton and Paul "It's our #1 Priority" Martin.

With the uncertainty surrounding this issue, companies are already voting with their dollars, taking contracts, plants and jobs with them to the United States where a clogged road and bridge isn't going to affect them. You had a golden opportunity to ensure that one of the most vital trade links in North America continues to hum into the future decades. YOU BLEW IT!

Windsor's two MPs, Joe Comartin and Brian Masse had a further opportunity to seal the deal. All they had to do was have the courage of their own convictions and stand up for their community instead of toeing the party line. Another opportunity missed. Joe and Brian chose to vote in lock-step with the Jack Pack. (a rather common occurence with Jack Packers - see How'd They Vote.ca for complete details) At the very least the owner of the Detroit/Windsor Ferry could have been afforded some relief and have his customs costs covered as the Tunnel and Bridge corporations do. Instead you have abandoned him to the vagaries of the court system to fight the federal government for a level business playing field.

With Windsor's unemployment rate at 8.6 % and rising, we simply can't afford anymore of your "People Power" agenda. Trucks belch their way through our city everyday, contributing to the smog and air quality problems this area can ill afford. The people of Windsor voted NDP hoping to attain something different from our representatives. Well we got it!

The Jack Pack - all for one and that One is Jack.

(ably supported, encouraged and directed by Buzz, of course)