Lisa Gretzky MPP, for Windsor West

WINDSOR – NDP MPPs Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West), Percy Hatfield (Windsor—Tecumseh) and Taras Natyshak (Essex) held a press conference Friday in Windsor to discuss Save Main Street: A Plan for Jobs and Financial Security for Working People that was released by the NDP on Friday morning.
 
It’s a plan to help people and small businesses weather the second wave of economic challenges, and ensure working people are positioned to drive Ontario’s economic recovery, and bounce back healthier and more prosperous than ever.
 
Lisa Gretzky, NDP MPP for Windsor West
 
“COVID-19 has hit our local businesses hard. Long-standing businesses closed, many are in fear of closing if things take a turn. Countless workers lost their jobs, and many are worried about losing their next paycheque.  We didn’t see the kind of support we needed from the provincial government during the first wave of COVID-19. Working people need more jobs, and more financial security to get through the second wave of COVID-19 – not less than they had the first time. If the government can finally deliver on that economic stability for households and middle class families across the province then those folks will drive Ontario’s recovery. Especially working women – because we know there will be no recovery without a she-covery.”
 
Percy Hatfield, NDP MPP for Windsor—Tecumseh
 
“Back in the summer, I put a call out to local businesses, unions, non-profits, municipal partners in Windsor and Tecumseh to get their feedback on they needed to get through the pandemic. Many businesses told us they couldn’t pay their rent and had to lay off workers, and that they needed financial assistance to help with safe reopening costs and for rent assistance.
 
We heard that sick days for workers would have been step in the right direction to allow workers to take a sick day without going to the doctor or coming to work while sick because of fear of losing their jobs. We also heard that child care was a major concern for people returning to work.  This is extremely tough for small businesses who are trying to make ends meet and to recover after the pandemic. We need a plan to Save Main Street so that these businesses and their workers can not only survive, but thrive.”
 
Taras Natyshak, NDP MPP for Essex
 
“Back in April, we called on Doug Ford to implement a series of measures through the NDP’s Save Main Street plan. He didn’t. Businesses in our community closed, and many are still extremely worried. This was especially hard in my riding – in Essex county were we stayed in Stage Two while businesses in neighbouring towns opened up. But this is too important to give up on. We can’t afford not to have a plan in Ontario for jobs, for working folks, and small- and medium-sized businesses. So today, we’re releasing an updated, expanded Save Main Street: A Plan for Jobs and Financial Security for Working People.”