Statement made on 17 June 2009 by Senator Terry Mercer
Hon. Terry M. Mercer:
Honourable senators, today the federal government has announced $1 billion to support the forestry sector across Canada for green capital upgrades to pulp and paper mills.
Rural communities across this country have been hit hardest by the forestry sector crisis, with more than 55,000 forestry jobs lost over the past two years. One out of every five jobs has just disappeared. This announcement does nothing for the mills that have already closed.
The previous Liberal government saw this coming when we proposed a $1.6 billion aid package in 2005, which included $800 million for loan guarantees. I dare say that would have lessened the impact on those 55,000 people who have lost their jobs.
Therefore, what does this new announcement do for those people already unemployed and for the mills that have already closed?
Please click here to read the full text of the Senator's question