Support for Auto Industry Reinforces Canadian Economy during Economic Crisis, Says...

Support for Auto Industry Reinforces Canadian Economy during Economic Crisis,
Says CAW President

TORONTO, June 1 /PRNewswire/ - CAW President Ken Lewenza said the support
provided to General Motors by the federal and provincial governments is
critical to the long-term health of the Canadian economy.
Lewenza stressed that the governments' support for the GM and Chrysler
restructuring efforts will save hundreds of thousands of jobs in total, above
and beyond the direct positions at the two automakers. "For every direct job
saved through this process, a total of 7.5 jobs depend on the auto industry's
continuing presence in Canada," Lewenza said. "Hundreds of other companies,
from auto parts suppliers to neighbourhood cafes and dry-cleaners, would face
a grim future if GM and Chrysler were to disappear from Canada."
"This is not just about saving direct auto jobs. It's about reinforcing the
foundation of our whole provincial economy," said Lewenza.
Part of the criteria for government support is that General Motors maintain
its manufacturing footprint and increase research and development in Canada,
said Lewenza. "These requirements will help not only preserve Canadian jobs,
but create a stronger, greener and more successful industry for the future."
That General Motors managed to avoid filing for bankruptcy protection here in
Canada is a credit to the tremendous hard work on both sides that went into
reaching a new collective agreement between the CAW and the company.
"The union was proactive in responding to demands put on us by government, and
although the sacrifices made by our members were difficult, we all understand
that this government support was instrumental in maintaining the industry and
the hundreds of thousands of jobs it provides," said Lewenza. He also
indicated the importance of avoiding bankruptcy protection should not be
underestimated.
Lewenza also pointed out that the restructuring assistance could ultimately
impose no cost whatsoever on Canadian governments or taxpayers, once the
companies stabilize, auto sales recover, and the loans and other forms of
support are repaid. The Canadian government's support for Chrysler's earlier
restructuring (in 1979) did not cost Canadian governments a single dollar -
yet were important in preserving the company's substantial Canadian operations
for a generation to come.
"The fiscal cost to governments of doing nothing, and allowing these companies
to disappear from Canada, would be far, far worse than supporting their
restructuring and continued operation here," Lewenza said. He pointed to
economics studies (such as a recent report from the Centre for Spatial
Economics) estimating the federal and Ontario governments would lose
$13 billion per year if the Detroit Three automakers ceased operations in
Canada.
"All those so-called taxpayer rights' advocates should think carefully about
how government would replace those many billions of dollars in lost revenue,
if GM and Chrysler disappeared from this country. That's what taxpayers should
fear, not this restructuring package."

SOURCE Canadian Auto Workers

please call CAW Communications, Shannon Devine, (cell) (416) 302-1699; or
Angelo DiCaro, (cell) (416) 606-6311