Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker is concerned with the staggering 21 per cent youth unemployment rate in the riding. Walker has called on the Liberal government to follow through on promises to create new opportunities for young people.

He says Bruce Grey has the highest unemployment rate in the province, and the jobless level is three times the national average.

Walker is deeply worried that the number will grow even higher after the Liberal government brings in what he calls a new payroll tax, called the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan.

He claims the plan will cost another 150-thousand jobs in the province.

He says businesses will not be able to add more people to the payroll when the government increases payroll taxes.

Walker says 600-thousand people remain without a job in Ontario for the 90th consecutive month.

The Provincial Government claims the $295-million Ontario Youth Jobs Strategy has already helped 20-thousand young people gain work experience, training, and employment.