Midland Needs New Jobs

News release from Gord McKay – September 17 2010
The recent downturn in the economy has hit Midland particularly hard.  Many of our citizens have been laid off, given reduced hours or been forced to commute outside of Midland to find employment. And less work means less money for our residents, our shop-keepers and our Town.

Our economic problems are not new. While exact numbers are hard to find, Midland’s and Pentanguishene’s largest industrial employers have lost some 900 positions since 2007 (This includes the closure of HPP and Bruin.)
The jobs that remain have been increasingly low-paying, leaving us well below wage levels found in other parts of Ontario.

                                       Midland  Ontario

Median full-time earnings  $38,418  $44,748

Statistics Canada 2006

Good jobs are essential to Midland and our future. In today’s world we must compete for those jobs with every other community in Ontario, and beyond. Attracting new jobs starts with a plan. Midland currently has no such plan.  That must change.
Fortunately Midland has the raw material to get its economy back on track. These advantages include our remaining manufacturers, Georgian College – Midland and its “trades” mandate, and the concentration of health related institutions in our area.
As your mayor I will work with Council, the businesses and the citizens of Midland to:
– create a practical economic plan that will re-build our economy
– establish a working team to bring jobs back to Midland
– engage federal and provincial governments in helping us meet our goals
+++++
Listening – Caring – Taking Action
The Media Release is provided by the Elect Gord McKay – Mayor Campaign. For further information or an interview call Gord directly at 526-7129 or e-mail him at gordonmckay@rogers.com

Media Release – Background

Midland (and area) industrial employers have been in decline for some time.
 
 Year  Industrial Occupations* Total Labour Force

 2001  1,110    7,355

 2006  1,030    8.035

* Statistics Canada – Category J: Occupations unique to processing, manufacturing and utilities

In recent years, Midland and area large manufacturers have lost many jobs.

Employment at Major Manufacturers in Midland and Penetanguishene
(Includes full time, part time and seasonal positions)

              2007  2008  2009  2010

Elcan        717  830  930  930

Techform  600  400  300  300

TRW         480  250  205  205

CCL           350  240  225  180

Baytech      300  300  300  300
  
Kindred       250  211  210  185

Schott (Daysco)203  193  200  170

Weber          175  170  136  136

Bruin            130  –  –  –

HPP              100  –  –  – 

 Total           3,305  2,594  2,506  2,406

 Source: Business Times Top 100 Report

For those that do have jobs, earnings are well behind the rest of the Province.

                                          Midland  Ontario

Median earnings (from a job) $24,431  $29,335

Median full-time earnings       $38,418  $44,748

Median household income       $45,256  $60,455

Statistics Canada – 2006