Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources Development.
A recent report states that pulp and paper mills expect to lay off 15,000 to 20,000 workers before the year 2000. Given the fact that this industry is one of the oldest and most important manufacturing sectors in Canada both in terms of its contribution to the national economy and in terms of jobs, what measures is the government taking to prevent these massive layoffs which would have a devastating impact in my province of New Brunswick and across Canada?