Mr. Speaker, on November 29, AbitibiBowater announced that it is closing its Dalhousie plant for good.
The people of Dalhousie, Restigouche and my riding are going through an unprecedented human and economic crisis. I indicated to the Conservative government the extent of this crisis a number of times and each time it did nothing about it.
Today we learn that the federal government will grant financial assistance to one of the plants that closed and wants to discuss with AbitibiBowater what happens next.
In the meantime, there is no discussion about the plant, the workers and the families affected by this unbelievable crisis. The people of Restigouche have the right to know why they were not considered in these talks. The people of my riding will never accept this government's attitude toward their future.
Is it because we live in Atlantic Canada? We know how the Prime Minister feels about the people from Atlantic Canada.
The Conservatives should be ashamed to show such lack of compassion for the people of my riding. It is unacceptable.