Last night I called out the MNR Minister for his lack of action to heat the Fort Frances mill. CAMPBELL CALLS OUT MINISTER FOR LACK OF ACTION TOWARD SAVING FORT FRANCES MILL Queen’s Park – Dissatisfied with minister Mauro’s response yesterday when he made no commitment to take action to save the Fort Frances mill, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell took the minister to task in further debate last night reminding him that as the minister responsible for forests, he has the power to save the Fort Frances mill. “What the minister is not mentioning is that MNR ministers have always held to the principle that forest tenure was tied to local jobs. It has been successive Liberal ministers who have turned their backs on this fundamental principle of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. This minister should stop pretending his hands are tied. In fact, the minister is altogether dismissing the very important role he has to play in the future success of this operation,” Campbell said. “Upon review of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, the sustainable forestry licence for the area and in speaking with key players in the forest industry, we are repeatedly faced with the fact that all indicate that the power rests with the minister—that it is up to this minister to use his discretion and do the right thing to ensure a bright and prosperous future for the Fort Frances mill and the Rainy River district.” Campbell took issue with the comments made by the minister that suggested she was wrong to offer hope to the people of Fort Frances and the Rainy River District reminding him that they stand united to keep the mill open. “There has been a steady flow of letters coming into my offices, and there are hundreds of names now on petitions by residents as well as mayors, reeves and chiefs of communities across the Rainy River district. NOMA, Unifor, ENGAGE Young Professionals Network and the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce have all come out in support of a strong future for the Fort Frances mill. Last week, people from across the Rainy River district took to the streets to march for action. Why? Because we are confident that a positive solution can be brokered if this government wants to see it happen,” Campbell said. “We all know that there is plenty of wood, a useful mill and interested investors. It’s a lack of appropriate wood rights that are controlled by this minister’s office and the delay in the willingness to make this deal happen that are the real stumbling blocks. Time is running out. We are in our hour of need. Will this government commit to action and more than just talking? If so, will this minister ensure that the wood rights are allocated to the mill, that the mill is heated this winter and that companies can feel confident investing in northern Ontario?” -30-
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 01:45:48 +0000
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