Briefing from the Sue McSheffrey Campaign

Poverty and Unemployment

Poverty levels in Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke are a serious problem. The median income in Renfrew County is about $12,000 below the rest of the province. In Pembroke, about 42% of all children under age 6 live under the poverty level.

Unemployment and job losses continue to mount, including the loss of 400 jobs at Trimag; 200 at Pfizer; 100 at Commonwealth Plywood and 100 at Timminco. The possible sale of AECL, the likely closure of rural post offices and the closure of Commonwealth Plywood are creating uncertainty and threatening the livelihood of individuals and communities.

Since 1985, more than 12,000 Canadian companies have been taken over and many of them have been subsequently closed by foreign companies.

The costs for family essentials such as food and gas continue to rise—often dramatically.

The New Democrats: Putting You and Your Family First

The NDP have a plan to tackle the growing gap between the rich and everyone else. Already Jack Layton and his team have led the way in Parliament by:

• Tabling legislation to reinstate the federal minimum way at $10 an hour
• Exposed price gouging – ATM fees, credit card rates, gas gouging, abusive cell phone charges and soaring costs for prescription drugs
• Tabling bills to fix the Employment Insurance system
• Pushing for affordable child care for today’s families
• Successfully pressured Harper to abandon cuts to homelessness and affordable housing initiatives

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