In our brief, we ask that in such circumstances, workers be taken into account. We are hearing talk about layoffs. Sales may decline and the economy may slow down, but workers may have to deal with the worst consequences.
We already proposed models. First we have to support working men and women. If we give the companies the subsidies they request, it is to ensure their financial viability and to keep people in their jobs. The situation could change and we have to maintain production capacity and the ability to sell and export our products.
If the situation gets worse over time, we will absolutely need to have plans and strategies in place to know what to do with the workers. That is precisely why we are asking you to create a working group to study different scenarios.
The situation in Alma may be different from the situation in British Columbia because the industry is different. This working group will have to be able to present recommendations fairly quickly, which a trade-monitoring committee will not be able to do. The working group will have to understand the needs of unions, of businesses and of government.