Conservative axe continues to fall on Atlantic Canada


Conservative axe continues to fall on Atlantic Canada

NOVEMBER 29, 2012

St. John`s – Newfoundland and Labrador’s two federal NDP MPs are outraged at the disproportionate federal job cuts in Atlantic Canada, and are calling on the Harper Conservatives to immediately halt their attack on the East Coast.

“This report eliminates any doubt that the Harper Conservatives have it out for Atlantic Canada,” says Cleary (St. John’s South-Mount Pearl), chair of the Atlantic caucus and critic for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. “The East Coast job cuts – on top of the recent 25 per cent slash to ACOA grants - are yet another example of how the Harper government is abandoning Atlantic Canadians.”

"It's disturbing to see the same pattern with the Harper Conservatives that we saw with the Liberal cut-backs in the 90's and Newfoundland and Labrador receiving disproportionate cuts. When you combine this with the attack on EI that hurts seasonal workers and seasonal industries, it's clear the Conservatives don't support Newfoundland and Labrador," said Jack Harris, MP (St. John's East)

A report released this week by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) titled Public Disservice: The Impact of Federal Government Job Cuts in Atlantic Canada, estimates that 4,400 full-time federal government jobs — representing approximately $300 million in salaries — will be lost in Atlantic Canada by 2015, as well as several hundred more Crown corporation jobs. An equal number of private sector jobs are expected to disappear as a result of the federal cuts.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, nine per cent of federal jobs or 520 positions are expected to be shed: including 133 positions with Fisheries and Oceans; 97 jobs with Human Resources, Skills Development; 59 positions with the Canada Revenue Agency; and 56 jobs with the RCMP.

Between 1999 and 2012, 93,068 jobs were created in Canada, with Newfoundland and Labrador’s share at 504 or 0.5 per cent.

-30-

For more information contact:
Matt White, Office of Ryan Cleary M.P., 772-4608 or 682-1653, ryan.cleary.a1@parl.gc.ca

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