Denis Lebel

[Pulp and Paper Industry, October 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I think that the most important thing now is not to play politics at workers' expense. All the member knows how to do is play politics at workers' expense. Speaking of mill closures, there have been two in his riding. We never heard him say anything about it at the time. The important thing now is to take care of workers—both unionized workers and managers—who have lost their jobs.

Yesterday, we contacted the survival committee to make sure that workers would be getting the help they needed. Dolbeau-Mistassini employees know that we are behind them and will continue to support them. Export Development Canada has spent $16 billion to support the forestry industry over the past two years, which is something those members will never be able to do.

[Forestry Industry, October 1st, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, of course we are concerned about what is happening to pulp and paper workers, and we are closely following what is going on. However, executives at Kruger said that the company would close its doors because of a large drop in market share. This is unfortunately due to the global economic crisis, and we will continue to support these people.

The only way the Liberals supported the forestry industry was to abandon forestry workers from 2000 to 2006, and to not have an agreement with the Americans, our main economic partners. Our government is fixing this, and we will continue to support them.

[Forestry Industry, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I would remind my colleague that in 2008, Export Development Canada supported the forestry industry in Quebec with nearly $9 billion in various financial products. As of August 31, 2009, Export Development Canada has provided the forestry industry in Quebec with more than $7 billion in support, for a total of $16 billion in two years. He should do the math and then we will talk.

Moreover, last week, when the task team was announced, the Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade of Quebec confirmed that we had to comply with the softwood lumber agreement to avoid a repeat of what happened in Gaspé—

[Forestry Industry, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this is a very tough time for the people working in the forestry sector, whether they work in softwood lumber or pulp and paper. I can confirm that the only people who can help the forestry industry, not just by talking, but by taking action, are the members of our government. A few months ago, after a Canada-Quebec committee was set up, we announced $230 million for the forestry industry in Quebec. This is far more than the Bloc has done in 18 years and more than it will ever do. We are going to keep on supporting the forestry industry and forestry workers.

[Forestry Industry, September 28th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, last week, I had the pleasure, together with my colleague, Quebec's minister of economic development, to set up a team to move matters forward, especially the restructuring of the forestry industry. I am going to finish what I started to say last week. I will say it in its entirety. The federal government is not acting alone. The Government of Quebec, the forestry industry, corporate presidents, unions, banks and all partners are involved because we believe that the forestry industry has a future and will be rebuilt with the help of all partners.

[Forestry Industry, September 18th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, when we signed this agreement with the U.S., we brought back $4.5 billion to Canada and redistributed the entire amount to the forestry industry. Countervailing duties have fallen from 30% on average to less than 15%. We did our job.

Unfortunately the pulp and paper industry is now in crisis. In 2009 alone, AbitibiBowater's share in the paper market declined by 31% and, since 2000, sales of newsprint have dropped by 42%.

Unfortunately, this is about markets. However, we will continue to support the forestry industry and to do our job.

[Forestry Industry, September 18th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as I just mentioned, and it is important to repeat it for my colleague, on August 31, 2009, Export Development Canada made available to the Quebec forestry industry more than $7 billion in credit access, loan guarantees and receivables insurance.

I would like to remind the member opposite that between 2000 and 2006, the Liberal Party completely abandoned the Canadian forestry industry by failing to enter into an agreement with the U.S. In addition, the Liberals' only solution to the current crisis is to trigger an election. It would be much better if they would work with us and find solutions.

[Forestry Industry, September 18th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, this is unbelievable. First of all, last week, I went to see the 5,000 workers in Dolbeau-Mistassini and I also attended the union demonstration the week before. We are working on the ground with people.

On August 31, 2009, Export Development Canada committed over $7 billion in support for Quebec's forestry industry through access to credit, loan guarantees and accounts receivable insurance. I am talking about $7 billion, and they say we have done nothing. That is not what the unions are saying. Our government is getting the job done and will continue to do so.

[Forestry Industry, September 18th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, of course it is important on this day to think about the workers who have temporarily lost their jobs. I would remind the House that these closures are temporary. We must think of those families today.

I spoke with Quebec's minister of economic development a few times in the past few days. We have been working with the Quebec government in recent months to improve the state of the Quebec forestry industry, and of course we will continue to do so.

The only thing the Bloc can ever do is whine about what we are doing, while we, on the other hand, continue to work on behalf of our workers.

[Forestry Industry, September 16th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as the members of the party on the other side know, when the economic action plan was adopted, a community adjustment fund was established that has enabled our government to help the forest industry all over Canada, including in the province of Quebec.

We announced $200 million for silviculture and forest resources management, and $30 million has gone to the industry for private woodlots. Thirty million dollars is no small amount. It sure is more than the Bloc has come up with in 18 years. As usual, they voted against that too.