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Opposition Leader Gerry Reid is asking Premier Danny Williams to release the
proposals made by Abitibi Consolidated and government related to
negotiations on the closure of the company’s operations within the province.
With deadlines fast approaching for the closure of the Stephenville mill and
the closure of the number seven paper machine in Grand Falls-Windsor, Reid
believes the time has come to solicit the opinions of the people of the
province in an effort to save both operations. "The Premier stated last
month that no further offer would be made to Abitibi," said Mr. Reid. "If
this is the case, that offer and counter offers from the company must be
made public. The deadlines for these two operations is quickly approaching
and no information has been released publicly. Why is the Premier refusing
to release any of these details for public discussion?
"These discussions are too important to the people of the province,
especially Stephenville and Grand Falls-Windsor, to keep everything
secretive. The people have a right to know exactly what was offered to the
company and what was refused. Is there a deal on the table to be had?
"These negotiations have been ongoing in secret since July. It is now
time everything was made public. For a government that claims to open and
accountable, why are they hiding these proposals from the people. The people
of the province should be given the opportunity to study these documents
before the deadlines expire and the milling operations are shut down. There
may be a solution on the table, the Premier may just need some help in
finding the right course of action."
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