Mr. Speaker, I stand today with my fellow Vancouver Island colleagues. I am heartbroken. Yesterday the Crofton pulp mill in my riding announced a full mill closure, with 375 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs, and almost a billion dollars' worth of economic impact in the region, lost.
However, this is not about numbers; this is about the workers and their families. They simply want jobs, safe communities and an affordable life. Many of them are from Duncan and from North Cowichan, which is already struggling with homelessness, unemployment and one of the highest crime rates in British Columbia. Life will now get worse for even more families.
The Prime Minister should be ashamed. His promises, policies and platitudes have all failed, while he says, “Who cares?” He has failed to negotiate a trade deal, leaving B.C. with 31 mills closed, and counting, and 45% tariffs on softwood lumber that are destroying the entire industry.
I will always stand for the responsible use of natural resources and our economic well-being. Will the Prime Minister do so?