CAW Manufacturing Matters - Victoria - April 25, 2007

Canada’s manufacturing sector is in crisis. Across Canada, almost every other week another plant shuts its doors, files for bankruptcy or announces its intention to move operations out of the country. Good manufacturing jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate and with them go opportunities for future generations and vibrant communities. To Canadians, good jobs matter - manufacturing matters.

The Canadian Auto Workers union has launched the campaign ‘Manufacturing Matters,’ highlighting the sweeping job losses, exploring the impact they have had on our communities and what we can do as citizens. Already thousands of community members across the country have come together to voice their concerns.

Some facts to consider:
· In the last four and a half years, Canada has lost more than 250,000 jobs across every kind of manufacturing.
· During this time, British Columbia alone has lost 7 per cent of its manufacturing jobs –a total of 13,700 jobs have disappeared from the province, 6,800 in Vancouver.
· This means $640,000,000 in lost wages from the local economy each year.
· Over $102,000,000 is now missing from income tax revenue, eroding social services, health care and education.
· The job loss is permanent, not part of an economic cycle. Many companies have gone out of business or have left Canada forever.
· In Vancouver, manufacturing accounts for over 12 per cent of all economic activity.



For more information and updates on the Manufacturing Matters campaign, visit:
www.caw.ca/campaigns&issues/ongoingc ampaigns/manu-job...

CAW Video News on Manufacturing Matters: www.caw.ca/news/videonews/recent/manu_cr isis.asp

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items are from 25 Apr 2007.