GOVERNMENT INACTION COSTING QUALITY CANADIAN JOBS FOR RADARSAT: NDP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAY 28, 2012

GOVERNMENT INACTION COSTING QUALITY CANADIAN JOBS FOR RADARSAT: NDP

OTTAWA — Conservative government mismanagement of the RADARSAT program is costing well-paying jobs in robotics and aerospace, says Official Opposition Industry Critic, Hélène LeBlanc (LaSalle‒Émard).

MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA), a Canadian firm that also operates internationally, is no longer able to keep its engineers because the Conservative government still hasn’t provided the funding necessary to build three satellites as part of the RADARSAT program.

This situation comes despite the fact that budgetary allocations for the project were already announced.  “The government is procrastinating on this portfolio,” said Leblanc.  “They’re acting like a CEO without a business plan.”

“This also proves the Conservatives are incapable of making the necessary decisions to stimulate a key sector of the economy,” said Dan Harris (Scarborough Southwest), NDP Deputy Industry Critic.

“This inaction weakens Canadian innovation and hurts the economy,” he said, reminding that the NDP tabled a motion before the Industry Committee calling on MDA and the Minister of Industry to appear and explain the mission’s delay.  “Unlike the government, the NDP knows how important it is to be proactive.”

According to available information, about 100 highly-skilled workers could be tempted to take their talent elsewhere if funding isn’t made available quickly, hence the urgency of taking action, said the MP.

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For more information, please contact:

David Patry, Press Secretary, Quebec Caucus Services

514-238-8240 or david.patry@parl.gc.ca

Or

Youssef Amane, Press Secretary, 613-222-6993 or Youssef.Amane@parl.gc.ca