Statement made on 23 June 2009 by Senator Terry Mercer
Hon. Terry M. Mercer:
Honourable senators, I have a question for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Fraser Papers Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection last week in spite of the Conservative government's $1 billion package to assist pulp mills that use biofuels. The company operates mills in Thurso, Quebec, and in Edmundston, New Brunswick, and employs more than 750 employees.
Black liquor has been the primary source of energy for these plants for a few years; biomass accounts for 75 per cent of the energy that they use. However, the doors are now closed. How does the $1 billion program that the government announced assist the company, which has in the past used black liquor but cannot afford to produce anything now? Is there any retroactive assistance for companies like Fraser Papers?
Please click here to read the full text of the Senator's question