QUESTION PERIOD — Natural Resources
Forestry Sector
November 5, 2024
I would like to take this opportunity to say hello to Senator Dallaire. I see that he is still as passionate as ever about Question Period.
Leader, I would like to remind you that Prime Minister Harper reached a softwood lumber agreement with the United States within 80 days of his government coming to power. In March 2016, Prime Minister Trudeau promised to sign such an agreement within 100 days. Obviously, we are still waiting, and this failure has been devastating for the forestry industry across Canada, including Quebec.
Three weeks ago, the Petit Paris sawmill in Saint-Ludger-de-Milot closed its doors and 100 workers lost their jobs. Their union representative says that increased tariffs on exports to the U.S. are partly to blame. Why are forestry jobs so unimportant to your government?
Honourable senator, we don’t think that jobs in this sector of our economy are unimportant. Far from it. The challenges that we are facing due to a wave of protectionism, not only in the U.S. but elsewhere as well, mean that the government has to work really hard to defend and promote our interests. That is what the government is doing every day.
The job losses weren’t limited to Saint-Ludger-de-Milot. The Rivière-aux-Rats sawmill in Mauricie is closing for good come Christmas, killing 125 jobs.
The indefinite closure of Resolute Forest Products’ sawmill in Maniwaki is also raising concerns in the community.
Leader, do we need an election so that these workers can elect a government that will fight for them?
All across Canada, job losses are painful and unfortunate, not only for workers and their families, but for the whole community. The Government of Canada is working hard to protect the interests of workers, and it will continue to do so.
