Federal Election 2015: Former manufacturing workers on who gets their vote
November 14th, 2013.
It's a day that will live in infamy in the Southwestern Ontario town of Leamington. If you know Leamington, you know it's the "tomato capital of Canada." There's even a giant tomato downtown.
But it all went splat that day. The main employer for the past century -- the famous ketchup company, Heinz -- announced it would close the plant.
Seven-hundred and forty manufacturing were lost with the Heinz plant closing in Leamington. But that anger and frustration has played out many more times right across Ontario, and the rest of the country in the past decade.
Some 450,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost in that time. And when you're talking about such a huge hit to the economy, it's no wonder that Canada's future in manufacturing has been an important topic this season on the federal campaign trail.
Meet three voters who relied on the manufacturing industry for their livelihood, until their plants closed shop.
- Gerry Ingratta was a security guard at the Heinz plant in Leamington for 16 years. He thinks Stephen Harper has been Prime Minister for long enough... but he doesn't see a viable alternative. So, he says that -- reluctantly -- he'll be sticking with the Conservatives this election.
- Ruth Pippo worked as a raw materials purchasing coordinator at Heinz. She was toying with the idea of voting for Tom Mulcair's NDP but she's decided to put her trust in the Liberals instead.
- Mike Thomas used to work at GM's transmission plant in Windsor, Ontario. He likes the NDP's plan for small businesses and manufacturers, so they'll be getting his vote.
What kind of future do you see for manufacturing in this country? Do you work, or have worked in the industry?
Tweet us @thecurrentcbc. Post on our Facebook page, or email us with your thoughts.
This segment was produced by Ottawa Network Producer Max Paris.
Take a tour of Leamington's Heinx factory
Windsor Star produced this video in 2009, when the Leamington Heinz plant was celebrating its 100th anniversary and 100th tomato harvest. They spoke with then-Heinz Canada president and CEO, Peter Luik.