Conservative MP from Kenora rips Tony's homies

SooToday.com has received the following news release from Greg Rickford [shown], the Conservative Member of Parliament for Kenora.

Based on a phone call that Rickford made to SooToday.com News this afternoon, we know he is responding - in part, at least - to a news release issued earlier today by Sault MP Tony Martin, although Martin's name is not referenced.

Rickford also comments on a June 17 NDP release in which Forestry Critic John Rafferty (Thunder Bay-Rainy River) said the government’s $1 billion forestry assistance plan is coming too late to reverse the industry’s 55,000 job losses and will not offset the damage done to the Canadian pulp and paper industry at the hands of the U.S. black liquor tax credit.

******************** Rickford defends FedNor - NDP’s comments out of line

OTTAWA, ON (June 18, 2009) - NDP MPs in Northern Ontario accuse Conservative Kenora MP Greg Rickford of abandoning Northern Ontario in bold statements following Rickford’s decision to vote against Bill C-309.

The bill in question wants to turn FedNor into a stand-alone agency, which supporters say would keep more money in Northern Ontario and establish an overall stronger program for the region.

John Rafferty (NDP, Thunder Bay - Rainy River) said "The people of Kenora were effectively sabotaged by their MP today," as he referred to Rickford’s co-announcement on support for the forestry sector, and his stance on Bill C-309.

“Mr. Rafferty’s statement is inappropriate and out of line, and in any other profession would qualify as professional misconduct. What I saw yesterday was Mr. Rafferty being appreciative to the Natural Resources Minister, and then in a press conference proceeded to slam the forestry announcement and mischaracterize it; the announcement was intended to deal specifically with the black liquor issue. It was never intended to be a forestry bailout - that is not what the industry and it’s stakeholders asked for” (see [abridged] press release below for further details on this announcement).

With respect to Bill C-309, Rickford calls the bill redundant and costly.

"Bill C-309 proposes to duplicate what FedNor, part of Industry Canada, is already doing and doing quite well," Rickford said in the House of Commons. "Having seen first-hand over the years the benefits to the people of Northern Ontario and to its communities and businesses, I recognize and appreciate that this organization has continued to grow and thrive under the Ministry of Industry’s leadership.

"What these NDP members have not admitted is that this bill will never reach third reading as it stands. On Tuesday June 16, the Speaker ruled 'With regard to the establishment of a new agency, the parliamentary secretary cited a ruling of July 11, 1988'.

"As the parliamentary secretary noted, in that ruling the chair stated that an amendment to establish a separate government department 'undoubtedly would cause a significant charge upon the federal treasury in order for the new department to function on a daily basis.' (Debates pages 17366-7).

"This observation is just as valid when applied to Bill C-309. Accordingly, the chair believes that the establishment of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Region of Northern Ontario, as proposed by Bill C-309, would give rise to new and distinct government expenditures, thus requiring that the bill be accompanied by a royal recommendation” (see Hansard, June 16).

Rickford added that his Conservative government is investing heavily in Northern Ontario through FedNor and related programs.

"FedNor’s effectiveness as the regional and community development organization for Northern Ontario has never been stronger. FedNor is a conservative idea and program from the Leo Bernier days, that has remained constant, and I intend to keep it that way," he said.

“I work hard for the constituents of Kenora,” Rickford added. “I couldn’t be more pleased with yesterday’s announcement. It puts our pulp mills in play. It gives them an opportunity to remain strong and competitive as premier pulp producers in the world. It helps put mills like Domtar in my riding in a position of strength and sustainability as we emerge from a global recession.

"After consulting with the local management of Domtar, as well as union officials, I was able to express my concerns to the minister regarding the devastating affects that the U.S. black liquor subsidy was having on our forest industry. Yesterday we took action and I am proud of the results I was able to achieve on this file.”

************************* $1 billion support for pulp and paper announced today

OTTAWA, ON (June 17, 2009) - Canadian Pulp and Paper producers who invest in improved energy efficiency and environmental performance may qualify for funding from a new, $1-billion Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program, Minister of Natural Resources Lisa Raitt announced today.

“This new funding will help ensure that Canada has a pulp and paper sector that is both commercially and environmentally sustainable for years to come,” said Minister Raitt. “By making a smart investment today, we are laying the ground work for a greener, more secure future for the pulp and paper sector and the people who work in it.”

Greg Rickford, MP for Kenora stated “I am very pleased with this announcement for Kenora, and in fact all of Northwestern Ontario. It puts our pulp mills in play. It gives them an opportunity to remain strong and competitive as premier pulp producers in the world, and in a position of strength and sustainability as we emerge from a global recession.”

The Green Transformation Program intends to provide funding of $0.16 per litre of black liquor, up to a maximum program total of $1 billion.

Black liquor is a liquid by-product of the chemical pulping process used to generate renewable heat and power.

Eligible companies participating in the Green Transformation Program will be required to invest these funds over the next three years in capital expenditures that make improvements to energy efficiency or environmental performance on any pulp and paper mill in Canada, including mechanical mills.

The forest industry is pleased with this announcement. Avrim Lazar, President and CEO of Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) stated: “This will save jobs and help us maintain our edge as the ‘greenest’ suppliers of pulp in the world. Today’s announcement will accelerate this progress and will help the industry achieve its ambitious goal of using 100 percent renewable energy in all its operations.”

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