Ontario needs a Green and Caring Recovery

February 18, 2021

QUEEN’S PARK — Mike Schreiner released the following statement regarding this morning’s FAO labour market report and the state of Ontario’s economy:

“Ontario needs a Green and Caring Recovery to build back smarter from COVID-19.

Today’s FAO labour market report shows the devastating impacts the pandemic has had on Ontarians.

Employment dropped by 4.8% in 2020. That’s hundreds of thousands of hardworking Ontarians who are out of work and struggling.

And we know this has had a disproportionate impact on groups in vulnerable situations, including immigrants, mothers with young children, and workers in low-wage jobs.

This crisis of employment requires a creative and robust response from the government.

Looking at the lessons learned from the pandemic and the importance of health and safety, it makes sense to align our economic recovery with building back greener.

Ontario is falling behind the rest of the world when it comes to a green economy. We can do better. Our province is well positioned to build back its economy with jobs that are cleaner, safer and healthier.”

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