“Unacceptable…”

(Rick Norlock speaking about his own record on jobs)

Mr Norlock, for once we agree! Your record on jobs is unacceptable! According to Statistics Canada, Northumberland–Quinte West has the highest unemployment rate in all of Ontario – almost 10%. Here’s a chart showing the rise in unemployment from November 2008, when it was already high at 8,800 people unemployed, to November 2010, when a staggering 16,800 people were unemployed and still looking for work.

What Mr Norlock says: In March of 2010 Mr Norlock told a meeting of Cobourg business people that Northumberland– Quinte West had experienced a net job gain, but was unable to substantiate his claim. The Reality: Mr. Norlock, who are you trying to kid? Unemployment was at 8,800 in 2008. By 2010 it was 16,800. That’s a net loss of 8,000 jobs in two years! What Mr Norlock says: In Jan. 2011 Mr Norlock announced that “the current national unemployment rate is 7.6%, the lowest in the past two years. Northumberland’s is about a percentage higher at this time” (Rick Norlock , Northumberland Today Jan 12, 2011.) The Reality: Mr Norlock was forced to acknowledge he’d made another mistake and that the real unemployment figure in NQW is almost 10%. It was the second time in a year that Norlock had to retract one of his statements about jobs. What Mr Norlock says: “I think we’ve seen growth, so for all intents and purposes, that’s not an area we need to look at.” (Rick Norlock speaking about the need to create more jobs, The Community Press Jan 2011) The Reality: FACT: the number of unemployed grew by over 8,000 between 2008 and 2010 FACT: Our unemployment rate is the highest in the province. What Mr Norlock says: “Governments do not create jobs.” (Rick Norlock in the House of Commons, Feb 7, 2008) The Reality: The federal bureaucracy has increased 13% under your government. Mr Norlock, we need you to help create jobs right here! What Mr Norlock says: The Reality: Your words reflect your priorities. It is clear that Mr. Norlock doesn’t consider job creation a priority when only 2% of the words he has spoken in Parliament are about jobs. Mr. Norlock, the number one priority of your constituents is job creation. Represent them!

As a small business owner, I have created many jobs, right here in Northumberland–Quinte West. As your Member of Parliament, job creation will be my first priority.