The Conservative MLA for Prince George-North Cariboo says the NDP’s managed decline in the forest industry has put 90 Quesnel jobs at risk.
Sheldon Clare is reacting to the news that Quesnel River Pulp will be temporarily shut down.
He’s concerned that it could be permanent if market conditions remain unfavourable.
“Dozens of mills have already shutdown and under the NDP there is no sign that market conditions will improve.”
Clare says it is devastating news for Quesnel.
“These are 90 good-paying jobs in a community that depends on forestry. The community would see a huge drop in economic benefit, and local government could see a significant drop in tax revenue.”
Clare says the curtailment will hurt people and businesses.
Ward Stamer, Shadow Minister for Forestry, says Forest Minister Ravi Parmar’s idea of a ‘transition’ is nothing but the destruction of the forest industry.
“Mill workers, loggers, fallers and forestry families should not be forced to pay the price for a government that has abandoned them.”
Kiel Giddens, the Shadow Minister for Labour, says “the NDP talk a big game about protecting workers, but they are presiding over the demise of the industries that workers relay on.”
The new release also stated that the BC Conservatives will not give up on workers, and is committed to making the industry competitive once again and to restoring lost opportunities.
