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Oliver Langdon, MHA for the District of Fortune Bay - Cape La Hune, is
seeking a commitment from Fisheries Minister Trevor Taylor to uphold the FPI
Act with respect to Harbour Breton, just as Natural Resources Minister Ed
Byrne has committed to follow Bill 27 with respect to Abitibi Consolidated’s
wood supply in Grand Falls-Windsor. "Government announced yesterday that
it would hold firm with respect to legislation passed in 2002 to protect a
two paper machine operation at Abitibi’s Grand Falls-Windsor mill," said
Langdon. "It is now time for government to show some leadership and use the
power of the FPI Act to protect the people of Harbour Breton who have been
negatively impacted by the corporate decisions of FPI.
"I have asked the Minister to address this issue several times over the
past number of months to no avail. Now that the Minister of Natural
Resources has set the precedent, it is time for Minister Taylor to step up
to the plate and deliver. These two large corporations cannot be allowed to
bully the workers and their families in the affected communities."
Langdon says the recent decision to impose production quotas in the Crab
industry also gives credence to the argument that government should step in
to protect the traditional quota in Harbour Breton. "If the Minister is
prepared to order production quotas for crab, there is no reason why he
cannot step in and demand that part of FPI’s cod quota be allocated to
Harbour Breton.
"The future of the community and the entire Connaigre Peninsula is at
stake and it is time for leadership and results from government. It is
unfortunate that the Minister refused to act in the past, but now that two
other precedents have been set, it is time to do the right thing."
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