MPP Arnott responds to A.O. Smith closure
NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2013
MPP Arnott responds to A.O. Smith closure
(Wellington-Halton Hills) – News that A.O. Smith will be discontinuing manufacturing in Fergus
is a devastating blow to the community, says Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott.
“We were all shocked and disappointed, and our hearts go out to the families who will be
impacted,” Mr. Arnott said.
Upon hearing of the planned closure affecting up to 350 workers, Mr. Arnott reached out to
Township of Centre Wellington officials, the company and union representatives, the Premier’s
Office, the Offices of the Ministers of Economic Development and Training, and others. He also
joined Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj to visit the plant on April 4th, the day after the announcement.
“I have spoken to both Tim Hudak and Kathleen Wynne, to ensure they are aware of the
situation, and of our need for the support of the provincial Government,” Mr. Arnott said.
He received word later on April 4th that the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities will
establish an Action Centre in the community to assist the displaced workers.
“I want to do whatever I can to help. We will work together to support our neighbours in every
way possible,” Mr. Arnott concluded.
(Attached: Email message from Ted Arnott to Premier Kathleen Wynne on April 4, 2013)
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Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
Email from Ted Arnott to the Premier, April 4, 2013
From: Arnott-CO, Ted
Sent: April 4, 2013 1:05 PM
To: ‘tamer.abdalla@ontario.ca’; ‘kwynne.mpp@liberal.ola.org’
Cc: ‘Joanne Ross-Zuj’; ‘chrisw@wellington.ca’; ‘michael.chong.c1a@parl.gc.ca’; ‘Asma Bala’;
‘alex.irving@ontario.ca’; ‘mwarren@usw.ca’; ‘agoldie@centrewellington.ca’; ‘dhammond@hotwater.com’
Subject: AO Smith
Hon. Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario
Dear Premier:
Late yesterday afternoon, AO Smith, a water heater manufacturer located in the Township of Centre Wellington,
informed its employees that it plans to cease manufacturing in our community in July 2013.
As many as 350 good paying manufacturing jobs will be lost.
This is a devastating blow to our community.
My staff and I have been working on this all morning at my Riding Office. I have reached out to Township of
Centre Wellington officials. I have spoken with representatives of the United Steelworkers of America, the union
that represents the AO Smith workers. I have spoken to the office of the Minister of Training, Colleges and
Universities, the office of the Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment, as well as your office. In
addition, I have spoken to staff of AO Smith in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Ashland City, Tennessee. I have spoken
to Tim Hudak, and we have also coordinated with the office of the Hon. Michael Chong, MP, and Randy Pettapiece,
MPP. I will be visiting the plant this afternoon at 1:30 p.m.
It is my understanding that you may be coming to Kitchener tomorrow. The community of Centre Wellington is a
short distance from Kitchener, and if you are in our area, I would formally invite you to visit our community and
meet with our local officials to discuss whatever steps the provincial government can take to help.
If you need any more information, I’m in my Riding Office today and look forward to hearing back from your office.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
Toll-Free: 1-800-265-2366
Phone: 519-787-5247
Fax: 519-787-5249