Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good afternoon and thank you for being here today.
Mr. Coles talked about victims. After hearing your comments, I'd say that is no exaggeration. Earlier there was talk of negotiations with AbitibiBowater to obtain compensation, but later we were told that it's illegal because there was already an agreement; then a minister promises there will be a summit on the forest industry which never happens; a plant closes when the managers don't even seem to know what is manufactured there; and there is another plant with a contract which guarantees savings that other plants cannot provide. So, it is clear to me that there truly are victims.
When Mr. Lebel, the Minister of State for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec announced funding in April of $100 million over three years, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada said it was too little, too late. Mr. Gagné is unfortunately not here today, but I would like to ask you this question. What could have been done previously? What would that change now? Is it still too late? What can be done to prevent the closure of these two plants? And five other plants may be at stake.
Could you explain what Mr. Gagné had proposed?