Perhaps I'll go first, since Ms. Nash is my MP, and my former colleague at CAW. It's lovely to be able to engage in this discussion with you, Peggy.
In terms of manufacturing job losses being offset by service job creation, I think we are very fortunate in that the decline in manufacturing in the last few years has been at a time when the spending conditions in the domestic economy, such as retail, construction, and public services, have been very strong. That has allowed us to endure the decline in manufacturing without experiencing an overall recession, which is what happened the last time our manufacturing sector went into crisis in the early 1990s. We've been very fortunate on that scale.
However, it would be very wrong to conclude that manufacturing doesn't matter or that jobs lost here will inevitably be picked up somewhere else. I do not expect that to continue. Manufacturing is still very important to the base of our economy. It is an export-oriented tradeable good. As Andrew said, we have to be able to produce those things to pay our way in global markets.
The quality of jobs that are offered in manufacturing are superior in terms of the productivity. Income levels are more than 20% higher than average levels. It is the kind of job where working-class people can earn a middle-class income for themselves and their family.
The loss of those jobs, even if they're made up for with service sector employment, which in the private sector tends to be inferior in terms of income, will still contribute, as you mentioned, to the rise of poverty in our communities.