September 24, 2008
Cullen blasts Harper for selling out forestry workers
New Democrats will end Harper’s sell-out 2007 softwood lumber deal
VANCOUVER – Incumbent New Democrat Candidate Nathan Cullen (Skeena – Bulkley Valley) today joined NDP leader Jack Layton in blasting Stephen Harper’s treatment of northern forestry communities.
“The Prime Minister’s softwood lumber sell-out to the U.S. gave up on years of trade rulings in Canada’s favour,” said Cullen.
In the wake of the 2007 softwood agreement with the United States Harper then broke his promise to provide loan guarantees for struggling producers, and to find ways to help support forestry communities,” said Layton.
“Instead, he gave a $50 billion tax gift to profitable banks and oil companies that don’t need the help,” added Cullen.
Cullen pointed out that New Democrats have been active on the softwood lumber issue since Harper became Prime Minister:
“We have been the only ones to strongly oppose Harper’s softwood lumber sell-out,” said Cullen. “Earlier this year, we were able to put pressure on the government and ensure that $1 billion in relief funds for towns devastated by the sagging forestry industry were delivered immediately, not tied up in partisan games.”
Layton set out a variety of steps he would take as Prime Minister to restore and revitalize the forestry industry in Canada. He said he will start by ending Harper’s 2007 softwood lumber agreement and working to open U.S. markets based on fair trade in lumber.
Layton said if elected Prime Minister he would:
- Restrict raw log exports to make sure Canadian jobs come first.
- Create opportunities for businesses and workers through value-added development, and innovation.
- Encourage and accelerate sustainable forestry practices.
- Overhaul Ottawa’s inadequate program to combat the pine beetle and other insects.
Cullen emphasized the need to develop value-added processing in Canada, instead of continually shipping raw logs out of Canada:
“There is nothing that workers in other countries do to Canadian lumber that couldn’t be done right here,” said Cullen. “We should be processing our wood here in the Northwest – that’s what I’ll be fighting for if re-elected.”
Contact:
Campaign to re-elect Nathan Cullen: (250) 847-9293