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Judy Foote, MHA for the District of Grand Bank and Opposition Critic for
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, says she is very concerned with
reports that the provincial government is about to offer displaced workers
at the Fishery Products International (FPI) plant in Fortune a minimum wage
short-term project. The Concerned Citizens of Fortune group was informed
earlier this week that a project could start in the community as early as
Monday of next week once an application was submitted.
"I am shocked and very concerned with this news, as are those directly
affected by this minimal level of income support," states Foote. "These
workers have been used to a certain level of income while working with FPI
and now government is asking them to accept work that offers minimum wage,
which we all know will condemn them to a poverty level lifestyle. Is this
the extent of government’s commitment to these workers, not to mention their
shallow commitment to attacking the high level of poverty in this province?
The irony is that they are now contributing to the poverty depth.
"The people of Fortune were clearly expecting more than this sparse level
of support from government. They have endured a great deal these past months
and had pinned their hopes on receiving solid support to allow them to
remain in the community rather than following the beaten track of many who
have already migrated to Alberta for work."
The Liberal MHA says that she and her Liberal Caucus colleagues were on
the Burin Peninsula this week to listen to residents’ concerns, including
their view that the premier needs to take a more active role in providing or
securing some serious help for the region instead of sitting idly by while
they remain uncertain which way to turn.
"This low income project is a prime example of how the premier and his
government have failed, each step of the way along the path, to successfully
addressing the fishery crisis. It is outrageous that they have not been able
to turn up one concrete solution to the problems of the fishery in this
province and instead offer no or pitiful and insignificant relief such as
this minimum wage project."
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