Good Afternoon Stephenville

As I listened to Minister Joan Burke this morning on VOCM I was trying to figure out where all the alternate plans went for the paper mill.
JOAN, in this case the problem is wood and energy.
Let's start from there - Williams and Byrne did say they would expropriate - nobody's taking these assets. Now Burke says that was only if there was somebody else to take over the mill but now after-all it is Abitibi's equipment and they can do what they want.
Joan, I think that was Abitibi's position when the government was claiming they controlled the situation - including the assets.
Number 1 saying there are no takers on the mill because a consultant says that's the case is a farce. The government said there were other interests - where did they go?
Hey Joan, what happened to the vim and vigor of your boss when he made this statement?

"I indicated to Mr. Weaver that our government will not stand by and allow them to devastate these communities that depend on these mills for their survival, said Premier Williams. I sent a message loud and clear to Mr. Weaver that we would explore every possible option in terms of what legal authority government may have over the company's water and chartered timber rights."

Complete News Release

Premier threatens to retaliate in this CBC story

Do you get the feeling that every community that's facing obliteration is given the same story - stay with us, we are on the same side, we will fight for you, and there is a plan B. Then after enough people move away from that community the government says "to hell with that", not enough left to bother us now. Another community Doug House does not have to include in his elusive economic recovery plan ( 4th Edition).

If rural communities do not come together and insist on action - it is over.
The Federation of Municpalities is a registered charity with a particular mandate which includes dealing with situations such as these. What have they done for you lately? You can get the federal gas tax, which has replaced a significant reduction in ACOA's budget, if you can keep your community afloat long enough to use it.