The NDP MLA for Skeena, Robin Austin has called on the Forests Minister Rich Coleman, to make a trip up to Terrace and examine some options to keep the last mill in the region operating.
Austin made his request in the legislature last week, after West Fraser Timber announced the shutdown of the Skeena saw mill in Terrace, the mill was set to reopen after the three month coastal forests dispute, but now instead will finish off a few outstanding projects and then prepare the mill for an indefinite shutdown, that many fear will be a permanent one.
The issue was examined in Monday’s Daily News.
SKEENA MLA WANTS MILL BAILOUT
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Monday, October 29, 2007
Pages one and three
Skeena MLA Robin Austin is calling on the provincial government to intervene in the closure of the West Fraser Sawmill in Terrace.
In the legislature last week, Austin called on Forest Minister Rich Coleman to visit Terrace and explore options to keep the last mill in that community in operation.
“This government’s failed forest policy has created chaos in the industry, and the minister continues to refuse to help communities facing mill closures. Terrace has just found out that the last mill in town will be closing indefinitely, another devastating blow to my home community,” said Austin.
However, Coleman defended the Liberal’s forest policy, pointing to the high Canadian dollar and slow housing markets as the reasons for the mill’s shut down.
“The price is way down for our products going through to the largest market that we have. The company has actually advised me that they’d never seen, in 30 years, all these features coming through with regard to a commodity that they actually produce. For the member to actually say that anybody’s policy affects the dollar and the housing starts in the United States just shows an abject misunderstanding of commodity markets in the world,” said Coleman.
Last week, West Fraser Timber announced the shutdown of its Skeena sawmill in Terrace.
The company is uncertain as to the length of the shutdown and any start up of the facility will be determined by market conditions.
The planer at the plant will operate on a temporary basis starting today for six weeks in order to process the existing inventory of rough lumber at the mill.
Skeena Sawmills employs approximately 80 hourly workers and 20 salaried staff members. Wherever possible, salaried staff will be re-assigned to other duties within the company.
The news came just as the company’s workers were returning to work following a three- month strike by the United Steelworkers Union.
Austin was not satisfied with Coleman’s assertion that the markets are to blame. He accused the B. C. Liberals of pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into cost overruns for the Vancouver Convention Centre, while ignoring rural communities.
“The auditor general confirmed the convention centre cost overruns may go even higher than $400 million,” said Austin, New Democrat Critic for Rural Communities.
Austin was responding to the auditor general’s report that casts serious doubt on the $883 million price tag Liberals said would be the final cost. Originally the premier claimed the centre would cost $496 million.
“This news comes just as working families in Terrace learned that the West Fraser sawmill will be closing indefinitely,” said Austin. “The Campbell government has done nothing to help them. The premier has millions to spend on cost overruns at the convention centre, but only callous indifference for working people in resource communities.”
Austin added that northern and rural communities generate much of British Columbia’s wealth, yet get nothing in return.
Austin made his request in the legislature last week, after West Fraser Timber announced the shutdown of the Skeena saw mill in Terrace, the mill was set to reopen after the three month coastal forests dispute, but now instead will finish off a few outstanding projects and then prepare the mill for an indefinite shutdown, that many fear will be a permanent one.
The issue was examined in Monday’s Daily News.
SKEENA MLA WANTS MILL BAILOUT
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Monday, October 29, 2007
Pages one and three
Skeena MLA Robin Austin is calling on the provincial government to intervene in the closure of the West Fraser Sawmill in Terrace.
In the legislature last week, Austin called on Forest Minister Rich Coleman to visit Terrace and explore options to keep the last mill in that community in operation.
“This government’s failed forest policy has created chaos in the industry, and the minister continues to refuse to help communities facing mill closures. Terrace has just found out that the last mill in town will be closing indefinitely, another devastating blow to my home community,” said Austin.
However, Coleman defended the Liberal’s forest policy, pointing to the high Canadian dollar and slow housing markets as the reasons for the mill’s shut down.
“The price is way down for our products going through to the largest market that we have. The company has actually advised me that they’d never seen, in 30 years, all these features coming through with regard to a commodity that they actually produce. For the member to actually say that anybody’s policy affects the dollar and the housing starts in the United States just shows an abject misunderstanding of commodity markets in the world,” said Coleman.
Last week, West Fraser Timber announced the shutdown of its Skeena sawmill in Terrace.
The company is uncertain as to the length of the shutdown and any start up of the facility will be determined by market conditions.
The planer at the plant will operate on a temporary basis starting today for six weeks in order to process the existing inventory of rough lumber at the mill.
Skeena Sawmills employs approximately 80 hourly workers and 20 salaried staff members. Wherever possible, salaried staff will be re-assigned to other duties within the company.
The news came just as the company’s workers were returning to work following a three- month strike by the United Steelworkers Union.
Austin was not satisfied with Coleman’s assertion that the markets are to blame. He accused the B. C. Liberals of pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into cost overruns for the Vancouver Convention Centre, while ignoring rural communities.
“The auditor general confirmed the convention centre cost overruns may go even higher than $400 million,” said Austin, New Democrat Critic for Rural Communities.
Austin was responding to the auditor general’s report that casts serious doubt on the $883 million price tag Liberals said would be the final cost. Originally the premier claimed the centre would cost $496 million.
“This news comes just as working families in Terrace learned that the West Fraser sawmill will be closing indefinitely,” said Austin. “The Campbell government has done nothing to help them. The premier has millions to spend on cost overruns at the convention centre, but only callous indifference for working people in resource communities.”
Austin added that northern and rural communities generate much of British Columbia’s wealth, yet get nothing in return.
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