2009-04-22
06:53:13
Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield says lower hydro rates is not the only answer to helping the ailing forest industry.
Some critics who point to Manitoba where lower rates are helping its forest industry. But Cansfield says since Manitoba's industry is not as large as Ontario's, its an apples and oranges comparison.
"Manitoba virtually has a minimal forest industry to say the least," says Canfield. "Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia are the main drivers of the forestry sector in Canada. Again, it's the suggestion that its all about electricity. If that were the case, we wouldn't have the problem with Abitibi in Quebec."
Cansfield says resolving the crisis is far more complex and will take the efforts of a lot of people before the industry can turn around.
