September 15, 2008
The Northwest Needs Alcan to Show Its Cards
As the federal election campaign rolls into its second week, incumbent Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen is calling on Rio Tinto Alcan to present its final plans for a new smelter.
“The uncertainty surrounding this critical project continues to hang in the air in Kitimat,” said Cullen. “Rio Tinto Alcan has access to cheap power, a highly skilled workforce and a community committed to its success. They need to put their cards on the table.
“Rumours continue to swirl about a potential sale to Australian giant BHP Billiton but this must not stand in the way of Rio Tinto Alcan getting on with its job,” said Cullen. “I believe that our public resources – be they logs or water – should be used to create jobs in our region. Folks in the Northwest can’t put a promise on the kitchen table. We need a concrete start date for this critical modernization project.”
Cullen has been crisscrossing the Northwest, focusing on talking with voters on their doorsteps. A consistent message he’s heard in Kitimat is that the community needs to have something to bank on for the future and Rio Tinto Alcan is a critical part of that.
“This company has had every barrier removed to make this project a reality and now is the time to get started. They must declare the start date and bring in the new jobs that this region so desperately needs,” said Cullen.
Contact: Campaign to Re-Elect Nathan Cullen: (250) 847-9293