Opposition members are calling on the federal government to increase financial support given to the forest industry to levels given to the auto industry.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River M-P John Rafferty told the House yesterday the request makes sense.
"The forestry industry has not received support," said Rafferty. "The Government of Ontario has said quite frankly that forestry is a sunset industry in the province of Ontario. I dare say the government believes the same thing. That is most unfortunate because when we look at the statistics, it is quite surprising to see the contribution that forestry has made to the Canadian economy."
"For example, the total revenue from forestry is about $84 billion a year. The total revenue from the car industry just before its troubles was about $94 billion a year. The total exports are also in the tens of billions of dollars for both the automotive industry and the forestry industry."
"Forestry is about 3% of the total GDP contribution. The auto industry is also about 3%. In terms of direct jobs, there are more than twice as many jobs in the forestry industry, about 300,000, as opposed to the automotive industry, which is about 135,000 before its most recent troubles."
"Most telling, when we put the direct jobs and the indirect jobs together, we are looking at almost 900,000 direct and indirect jobs in the forestry industry, as opposed to about 440,000 direct and indirect jobs in the automotive industry. We could probably say that both of these industries in terms of dollars are somewhat comparable."
Rafferty had asked the motion also include a request to government to negotiate an end to the U-S black liquor subsidy, but it was not supported by other MP's.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Ballot Questions Discussed
International Falls City council has given its support to two questions on a ballot for voters of Independent School District 361 next month.
The district is asking voters to support an extension of the current school tax levy for another ten years and to support an increase the general education revenue by $70 per pupil for ten years.
Superintendent Don Langdon says this would help offset fees paid by students for participating in youth activities.
"By reducing our fees to an economic standard that I think the community and parents can live with," says Langdon, "I think we'll be able to sustain and even grow our student population in terms of their participation."
The vote will be held November 3rd.
The district is asking voters to support an extension of the current school tax levy for another ten years and to support an increase the general education revenue by $70 per pupil for ten years.
Superintendent Don Langdon says this would help offset fees paid by students for participating in youth activities.
"By reducing our fees to an economic standard that I think the community and parents can live with," says Langdon, "I think we'll be able to sustain and even grow our student population in terms of their participation."
The vote will be held November 3rd.
Fire Protection Services Debated
A lengthy debate for International Falls council last night over a proposed fire protection service agreement for residents in nearby rural areas.
Council eventually agreed to offering a 5-year deal with Koochiching County costing equal to what is now collected by the Rural Fire Protection Association Board from residents for fire protection services.
It would also allow the Association to keep its equipment
A current agreement expires at the end of this year, but the city wants the county to finalize a deal by November 3rd.
Council eventually agreed to offering a 5-year deal with Koochiching County costing equal to what is now collected by the Rural Fire Protection Association Board from residents for fire protection services.
It would also allow the Association to keep its equipment
A current agreement expires at the end of this year, but the city wants the county to finalize a deal by November 3rd.
Children Aid Agency Study Revealed
Ontario's minister of Aboriginal Affairs says the province is going to set up a commission to look at child care system.
Brad Duguid, who met with Treaty Three chiefs during a visit to Kenora on the weekend, says they want to sure children are being properly looked after.
"There is a need for significant change overall in the approach being taken," says Duguid. "The current status quo hasn't not served children well, first nation communities well or the province well."
A number of children's aid agencies in the region have reported significant deficits, but Duguid says the province has doubled funding over the past six years, with no significant increase in caseload.
Brad Duguid, who met with Treaty Three chiefs during a visit to Kenora on the weekend, says they want to sure children are being properly looked after.
"There is a need for significant change overall in the approach being taken," says Duguid. "The current status quo hasn't not served children well, first nation communities well or the province well."
A number of children's aid agencies in the region have reported significant deficits, but Duguid says the province has doubled funding over the past six years, with no significant increase in caseload.
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