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Opposition Leader Gerry Reid says he is extremely disappointed that most
recommendations in the $17 million economic plan brought forward by the Town
of Harbour Breton have been dismissed by government. A cabinet committee
was established to find solutions to the problems facing Harbour Breton last
February. An Industrial Adjustment Services (IAS) Committee was also formed
with the task of bringing recommendations to government that would help
diversify the economy of the town, and help replace the loss of the FPI
plant in the community.
"I was very disappointed to learn today that government is not willing to
accept the recommendations of the IAS Committee," said Mr. Reid. "A cabinet
committee was formed a year ago to find solutions in diversifying the
economy of Harbour Breton. The cabinet committee should have known what the
IAS Committee was working on and should have given direction as to what
would be acceptable instead of allowing it to waste its time over the past
year.
"The premier stood on a stage in Harbour Breton several months ago and
stated that the community would not be forgotten. Obviously, this was just
political rhetoric. Government was willing to put $175 million into the
Abitibi mill in Stephenville, yet is unwilling to consider the benefits that
would be created from a $17 million diversification fund for the Connaigre
Peninsula.
"It is unfortunate that government is not willing to support a 4000 tonne
shrimp quota for the community. FPI was permitted to take their quota out of
the town, and nobody seems to know where this quota is being processed. This
processing isn’t taking place on the Burin Peninsula; is it being shipped to
China? Government should have ensured that this traditional quota stayed in
the community for the benefit of the people of Harbour Breton.
"I suggest the people of Stephenville and other communities take some
lessons from Harbour Breton. This government pretends to be doing something
through cabinet committees and task forces to diversify local economies, but
this circumstance proves that they are actually doing very little. If
results are to be given, public pressure must be applied. As we have figured
out, this government only reacts to public pressure when making its
decisions."
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