Natural Resources Committee on April 23rd, 2009

[Mike Allen, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

My riding is dominated in the south and on the eastern side by forestry. With some of the challenges we face, I thank goodness that we always have access to the Atlantic exemption from the softwood lumber. That's been good in a way.

My riding is feeling these changes mainly in the eastern and southern areas. We've talked about the community adjustment fund and the $211 million to Quebec. I understand that ACOA is actually going to be responsible for delivering the community adjustment fund in Atlantic Canada. Can you comment on how quickly that money will be flowing to these communities?

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

In the case of the community adjustment fund, much like the other funds that we have in place, both for economic stimulation and for assistance to those who are being hardest hit by the recession, the goal is to move the projects along as quickly as possible. That's why we're delivering these programs through already existing programs, as in the case you mentioned in connection with ACOA.

It's interesting that the development of the projects really did come from the ground up. It came from talking to woodlot owners, it came from talking to industry, it came from talking to the provinces with respect to the kinds of projects they'd like to see. But the key is to make sure that we keep people working in the communities, and that we help communities adjust. Single resource towns can be helped by economic development projects, but you need to ensure that the community has something to replace its resource industry with during this downturn. It's important to look to the future, because in the long term there will be a recovery and the forest industry will do well again.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Thank you, Minister, for coming today, and for answering questions on the many issues within your ministry. We look forward to having you with us again in the future.

Thanks very much.

[Lisa Raitt, Conservative, Halton, ON]

I didn't know I was done. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

The meeting is adjourned.