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Opposition Leader Gerry Reid is questioning why Fishery Products
International (FPI) says it will keep its commitment to the people of
Bonavista, but not Harbour Breton and Fortune as it relates to promised
funds and upgrades to their plants in the three communities. "I fully
support FPI keeping its commitment to the people of Bonavista, but the
company should also honour the commitments made to the people of Fortune and
Harbour Breton," said Mr. Reid. "During the debate in the House of Assembly
to change the FPI Act, Mr. Derrick Rowe made promises to all three
communities in an attempt to gain support for these changes. At that time,
Mr. Rowe did not differentiate between the promises for each community and
stated that they were contingent upon the House of Assembly amending the FPI
Act. The changes were passed by government and FPI should now live up to
their commitments.
"It is very suspicious that FPI could obtain $40 million to purchase a
marketing company in Europe just last month, yet cannot afford to make
investments at their processing plants in this province. They are now making
excuses as to why they are not investing in Fortune and Harbour Breton. This
is unacceptable! If they can break their commitment to these two
communities, I am concerned that they may also break their commitment to
build a new facility in Bonavista in 2007.
"Breaking commitments to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is nothing new
to FPI. Their reputation precedes them as being a company that gets what it
wants through empty promises. I fear that they have been released from their
obligations under the FPI Act, while the people of the province will not see
any of the benefits that were promised. I hope government realizes this
circumstance, as they allowed these legislative changes to take place, and
takes action to protect the interests of the people of Bonavista, Fortune
and Harbour Breton."
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