Brent St. Denis on the Weyerhaeuser closure

NEWS RELEASE

BRENT ST. DENIS, MP ALGOMA-MANITOULIN- KAPUSKASING

************************* St. Denis informs the House of Commons about Wawa plant closure

OTTAWA (October 22) - Brent St. Denis, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, today informed Parliament about Weyerhaeuser’s announcement that it would be indefinitely closing its strandboard plant in Wawa, Ontario.

In addition, Mr. St. Denis has reaffirmed his commitment to pressure the Harper Conservative government to take action, reverse its poor softwood lumber agreement with the U.S., and hold a national forestry summit to deal with the crisis facing the forestry industry.

“It is very sad for me to relate to this chamber that just this past Friday the Weyerhaeuser Plant in Wawa shut down for an indefinite period. There does not appear to be any real prospects of reopening anywhere in the near to mid term. One hundred and thirty jobs have been lost.

"The workers are being told sadly that they should make arrangements for their lives and for their families.

"I wish them well. I will be there at the first opportunity in the next week or so to do what I can to help.

"Along with the provincial member we will work with the community, the workers, and whoever else will come to the table to make sure that the consequences of that closure can be minimized,” Mr. St. Denis said in the House of Commons while responding to the government’s recent speech from the throne.

Anyone in need of assistance can contact Brent at 1-800-920-2057.

*************************