Canada loses 2,000 more automotive jobs

TORONTO, July 3 (UPI) -- The troubled Canadian auto industry in southern Ontario has shed another 2,000 jobs with the closing of 11 small plastic molding facilities around Toronto.

Officials with 41-year-old Progressive Moulded Products Ltd., said debt of more than $500 million and declining orders from such customers as General Motors was behind the decision, the Toronto Star reported.

The company obtained court protection from creditors two weeks ago, but said it couldn't reach an accord with creditors.

The company said 300 U.S. workers were also out of work with the closure of two Progressive plants in Missouri and Texas, the report said.

Monday, the automotive plastics manufacturer Polywheels in Oakville, west of Toronto, announced its closure, and elimination of 250 jobs, the Star said.

The domino effect in suppliers began when General Motors announced last month truck plant closures that included one in Oshawa, east of Toronto, that will terminate more than 2,000 jobs.