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Judy Foote, MHA for the District of Grand Bank, says she is disappointed
with yesterday’s framework announcement for communities struggling with fish
plant closures. Foote says she would have liked to have seen more concrete
initiatives that would have encouraged laid off workers to stay in Fortune.
"Yesterday’s announcement does very little to provide hope to the people
affected by the closure of the Fortune fish plant," said Ms. Foote. "It once
again appears this government has thrown its hands up in the air and has no
other solution for the people of this region than to open a transition
office that will provide employment information on jobs in other parts of
the province and country, and to establish a short-term employment program
that will not offer opportunities to all affected plant workers. These
programs will do little to encourage people to stay in the area and convince
them that there is a long-term future in their communities.
"In addition, licenses have to be surrendered or revoked with no
immediate plan of the license being reissued. Where does this leave the
plant in Fortune? Has government given up efforts to attract a new investor?
Once again this government has announced an empty plan as good news, when
there is actually very little long-term benefit to help displaced plant
workers.
"If this government was serious about a long-term future for the people
of Fortune, they must fight to establish an early retirement program. We
continuously hear lip service from this government, but they refuse to go to
battle with Ottawa and ensure this program becomes a reality. This is a real
opportunity to help sustain rural communities in our province and the
premier and his minister can't or won't deliver on an early retirement
package even though they have led people to believe it is a priority for the
government. Why isn't this a battle the premier is prepared to pick with
Ottawa?
"If the same amount of effort used to set up transition offices in
struggling rural communities was put into establishing an early retirement
program, I suggest we might see some concrete benefits. As it stands right
now, we have another short-term temporary plan that will only address a
fraction of the actual need. This will certainly do very little to solidify
the long-term viability of the Fortune area."
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