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Anna Thistle, Liberal MHA for the District of Grand Falls - Buchans, is
calling on Premier Danny Williams and Natural Resources Minister Ed Byrne to
release details of ongoing talks between government and officials with
Abitibi Consolidated Ltd. "The people in Grand Falls - Windsor and dozens
of other communities impacted by the announced closure of the number seven
machine want to know what is happening," said Thistle. "Government cannot
continue to hide information from the hundreds of people who depend on this
operation to feed their families.
"Last week, following secret negotiations that lasted almost two months,
the Premier announced that an offer had been made to Abitibi and he expects
a decision to be forthcoming by Friday September 16th. The people
here want assurances that the concerns that were raised by the Concerned
Citizens Committee were addressed through the negotiating process.
"The Concerned Citizens Committee, representing 47 communities in central
Newfoundland, has been very patient with government and the company while
negotiations have taken place. However, given the inaction and lack of
information available, it is now time for details to be shared concerning
the parameters of these negotiations. The committee wants assurances that
the government offer includes a commitment for upgrades to both machines in
Grand Falls - Windsor, a commitment that any new power projects on the
Exploits River will be tied to the Grand Falls - Windsor operation and that
Bill 27 will remain intact to protect the fibre supply and to maintain the
two machine operation in Grand Falls - Windsor.
"These are serious questions that must be addressed by government. I
believe it is now time that government come clean with the people of central
Newfoundland by providing a public update on the current status of
negotiations and addressing the important concerns raised by the Concerned
Citizens Committee. We want to ensure that the negotiating process is being
conducted to uphold the best interests of Grand Falls - Windsor and central
Newfoundland."
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