FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2009
LEAVE ERICSSON-NORTEL DEAL TO OTTAWA
(Queen?s Park) The McGuinty government should focus on creating opportunities in Ontario and leave Ottawa to determine the merits of Ericsson?s proposal to purchase Nortel, says Peter Shurman, M.P.P. (Thornhill) and Progressive Conservative Critic for Economic Development and Trade.
?Our Party is in favour of Nortel selling its valuable assets domestically, but an auction determined that Ericsson of Sweden was the preferential bidder.? says Shurman. ?Ericsson?s proposal for the purchase of Nortel could work to Ontario?s advantage, if the McGuinty government were able to encourage both foreign and domestic investment in our province.?
Shurman pointed out that the McGuinty government has been aware of Nortel?s urgent situation for many months now, yet has once again chosen to comment only in the 11th hour.
?The McGuinty approach to economic development seems to be a cross between bailouts and whining, when the plan ought be to create conditions that provide incentives for businesses to remain or locate in Ontario,? explains Shurman. ?Large enterprises like jurisdictions with good labour conditions, a competitive tax system, reasonable regulations and solid infrastructure. Our Party has been demanding that this government focus on creating these conditions, because such factors are crucial if Ontario is ever to regain its place as Canada?s economic engine,? Shurman concluded.
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For more information please contact:
Monika Bujalska, Executive Assistant
Office of Peter Shurman, M.P.P. (Thornhill)
PC Critic for Economic Development and Trade
416-325-2505, e-mail: monika.bujalska@pc.ola.org