NDP candidate wants more money from feds for forestry

FOXBROOK - The Central Nova NDP candidate is calling for the federal government to show greater support for the forestry industry.
Louise Lorefice was joined Thursday by Clarrie MacKinnon, Pictou East MLA, and Peter Stoffer, NDP MP for Sackville-Eastern Shore, in asking the federal government to work with the provinces, industry and workers to increase production and promote Canadian forestry products in emerging markets.
They also asked for pension provisions for displaced forestry workers and enhanced training. The group made the announcement at a press conference at the Groupe Savoie Mill in Foxbrook, which has been idle for three weeks now due to a supply issue.
"We have been doing a lot of one-on-one meetings with people specifically in primary industries, (including the forestry industry). The message comes through that these are the industries that have provided jobs, that have supported these communities, for a long time and will continue to," she said.
"The federal and provincial governments need to work together with the workers to encourage this value-added aspect and also to encourage and promote Canadian forest products in emerging markets."
The Canadian forestry industry has taken a hit due to the high Canadian dollar and high fuel costs, they added.
Stoffer said the $1 billion federal program (for single industry towns) will help the forestry industry, but more funds are needed. Funds must go directly to communities in need as the situation grows increasingly desperate, he said.
"Employers, workers and their families need to have access to those funds right away so new technologies can be brought forward, new training programs can be brought in, and so that elderly workers, for whom retraining is no longer an option, can have pension options."