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More than 20 Ontario mayors are calling for swift, bold and proactive action from Ottawa and the provincial government in a plea to save automotive jobs in their municipalities.
Rather than wait for the United States to take the lead, the 22 mayors who met in Toronto on Friday called for an immediate "made in Canada solution" to the flagging industry.
"Dithering can be catastrophic," said Oshawa Mayor John Gray, whose municipality is home to General Motor's Canadian headquarters.
"How do you train such a number of people in a short period of time to get them back into meaningful employment so that they can support their families? Those are the sorts of issues we will have to face if we let this industry fail."
The mayors warn that no help will mean the collapse of the Canadian automotive industry, and they say loan guarantees should be a top priority.
"What you're hearing from all of us today is one unified voice that we are going to fight to keep the jobs in our communities, and we know we have to be very vigilant in that," said Anne Marie DeCicco-Best, mayor of London, Ont. "We know the government has to step forward."
The impact of closing plant doors stretches far beyond front-line workers to communities, residents and other industries, said Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis.
Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said the public must avoid being distracted by out-of-date information and understand the risk so they will lend their support.
"We are grinding to a standstill unless we take action," he said. "That's the most important message here today."
The Conservative government pledged "further support" for the auto industry in the throne speech earlier this week, but it's not expected until the March 2009 budget.
If one of the Detroit Big Three automakers files for bankruptcy, Ontario would be hardest hit.
Ford, Chrysler and General Motors say they need $25 billion to stave off collapse.
