Horwath commits to skills training

Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Andrea Horwath says that lowering standards and squeezing more families out of the middle class will not promote economic growth.

“We believe that by investing in the skills of our workers, we’re actually investing in Ontario,” she told the delegates at the inaugural Ontario NextGen Conference in Mississauga, Ont. recently.

The conference attracted young delegates from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) locals across the province as well as Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It aims to target the younger generation of the IBEW to engage within their union and politically.

It is pretty clear, Horwath said, that apprenticeship is one of the most important tools in moving the province forward.

“We all know that by reducing apprenticeship ratios, we don’t end up with more skilled professionals in this province. What we end up with is actually fewer apprentices with enough hours to actually complete their apprenticeships. That is not the right direction. Without work hours, apprenticeships cannot lead to full-time careers.”

During her comments, Horwath reaffirmed her commitment to the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT), which began accepting members this past April and aims to represent 157 skilled trades.

“Some people are doing their best to undermine the Ontario College of Trades…You work hard for your tickets and you need a body that treats your skills seriously and addresses them seriously.”

She also said she was proud to stand with the IBEW and other organizations against Bill 74, which would have freed EllisDon from an agreement that requires them to only employ union workers for projects.

“They claimed it wouldn’t affect very many working people. But when we saw another ham-fisted attempt by the Liberals to rip up a collective agreement…New Democrats saw it for what it was and we proudly said no from the minute we set eyes on that bill,” she said.

The bill was defeated by the NDP and the Liberals, who had initially supported the bill, on Oct. 29 after its third reading.

She highlighted that the NDP has used its time with the minority Liberal government to “get things done for people, because that’s what our job is.” She counted focusing on job creation for young people and closing corporate tax loopholes as NDP victories.

The party has been very clear in rejecting “ugly, old time” politics that brought legislation such as Bill 74, she said.

“We don’t believe that that’s the right way to do politics in our province. That’s what you’ve seen from us. You’ve seen us working for people, you see us standing up for the right things, you see us trying to make a difference to make people’s lives better and to focus on what’s important for Ontarians.”

She added that Ontarians can expect to see a continuation of this behaviour throughout this session of parliament and beyond.

“That’s exactly what you could expect from me when I sit in the chair of the Premier in the province of Ontario.”

She said she looks forward to a continued relationship with the IBEW to move forward policies that will promote economic growth.

Follow Kelly Lapointe on Twitter @DCNKelly.