Chrysler job cuts a bad omen
The economic picture is looking pretty good in this great nation. Alberta is flush with oil and the associated economic benefits are paying dividends for that province's residents.

On the global stage, our dollar is flying in the stratosphere and recent job growth numbers had the experts impressed.

Sadly, however, Brampton took a punch directly to its economic heart this week as Chrysler announced it is axing 1,100 jobs at the local facility.

With the cuts expected to take place in February, it will be a sombre Christmas for many in our community. The auto industry as a whole is in a state of turmoil, and the list of manufacturers cutting jobs is long.

GM will terminate 1,200 jobs at the Oshawa truck plant in January and Ford ended one shift at its St. Thomas car plant eliminating 900 jobs.

The Brampton job losses will be felt across the board here, as employees facing an imminent job loss will not buy fridges, TVs, or other large purchases that drive our economy. Although both the federal and provincial governments say there is little they can do, and the cuts are just part of supply and demand, there are options available to politicians to assist the auto industry.

For starters, the federal government must provide quick financial assistance, lower interest rates and insist on fairer international trade. If the auto industry tanks in Canada, it won't matter how much oil is buried in the ground-- we will all suffer economically.

Our thoughts go out to the Brampton Chrysler employees who are losing their livelihood.