Former prime minister ignores lost jobs and shattered dreams as he celebrates 25th anniversary of Canada-U.S. trade deal.
One morning 10 years ago, my brother lost his long-time job when the owners of the Scarborough electronic parts factory where he worked announced it was closing the plant and moving its operations to Chicago.
Soon after, his company shut down two other factories in Oakville, tossing 400 employees out of work. The jobs were shifted to the U.S. and Mexico.
A bit later, the Markham electronics company where my niece had worked also closed its doors. It, too, moved its jobs outside of Canada.
The owners never admitted it, but workers were convinced a major reason why the companies closed the Ontario plants was the Canada-U.S. free trade agreement reached in 1987 under former prime minister Brian Mulroney.
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