Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak briefly on a question of urgency in my riding of Elgin-Norfolk: the need for Canada to have an updated industrial strategy.
To many in my riding words like "change" and "competition" are synonymous with plant closings and higher unemployment. Almost one job in four in my riding is in the highly vulnerable manufacturing sector. Over one-third of the industrial park in the city of St. Thomas is empty. It should be clear to
this House that manufacturing jobs in Elgin-Norfolk are in deep decline.
Elgin-Norfolk relies heavily for employment on the auto parts industry in which technology is key. Canadian workers need only the new tool of technology to add to their high productivity and education, two areas in which we hold an excellent advantage.
I urge the government to look at technology as a way of ensuring the people of Elgin-Norfolk and all of Canada a better tomorrow.