Mr. Speaker, earlier in the week, Magnola, a smelting company and a subsidiary of Noranda, announced the construction of a $720 million magnesium smelter in Asbestos. This project will create 1,000 jobs during the construction phase and 350 once the smelter is in operation.
As a result of this announcement, Quebec and Canada will become the second largest magnesium producer in the world.
Having held the office of mayor of Asbestos until June 2, I hasten to congratulate the people at Magnola, as well as all the players in the social and economic development of Asbestos.
This very good news does credit to the people of my hometown of Asbestos, my riding, my province, Quebec, and the country as a whole.