Count on Tories to strengthen forestry sector, Hayes says

NEWS RELEASE

BRYAN HAYES CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE SAULT STE. MARIE & AREA

************************* Conservative government protecting Canadian forestry jobs

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - Today, Conservative Candidate Bryan Hayes welcomed the Conservative government's series of important investments made through the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program that improve the competitiveness and environmental performance of pulp and paper mills across Canada as part of the government's plan to protect and preserve jobs in Canada's forestry industry.

Despite signs of recovery in some segments of the forest sector, there remains a need to find new and more efficient ways of using wood, wood fibre and its byproducts.

This initiative is part of the Conservative government plan to improve the environmental performance and competitiveness of Canada's forest industry by focusing on innovation and new product development that will ultimately expand market opportunities for both traditional and novel Canadian wood, pulp and paper products.

“Each and every day, thousands of Canadian families and workers in Northern Ontario depend on the forestry sector for their livelihoods. It is an important part of the Northern Ontario's economy,” said Hayes. "The Conservative government's investments in the forestry are supporting expansion of market opportunities for Canadian forest products, reducing our environmental footprint, improving the competitiveness of the forest industry and helping protect the jobs of the families who depend on our forest sector for their livelihood."

The Conservative Government continues to build on the success of many initiatives that are helping to sustain and enhance Canada's forest industry and the communities that depend on it.

Budget 2010: Leading the Way on Jobs and Growth established the $100-million Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program to promote the development, commercialization and implementation of advanced technologies in the forest sector - helping create a world-class industry able to compete in the clean energy economy of tomorrow.

"The Conservative government's top priority remains the economy. With the economic recovery still fragile, the Conservative government continues to take action to protect and create jobs in Canada's forestry sector," said Hayes. “The last thing Canada needs is Michael Ignatieff and Jack Layton recklessly forcing an unnecessary and opportunistic election.”

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