Tony Martin statement on news from Flakeboard

NEWS RELEASE

TONY MARTIN

********************** Tony Martin congratulates Flakeboard, wants FEDNOR to support Sault plant

SAULT STE. MARIE – Sault MP Tony Martin today congratulated Flakeboard for its acquisition of Weyerhaeuser mills, saying he wants FEDNOR to be more flexible in its funding rules to assist the private sector.

Here is Mr. Martin's statement:

"I congratulate Flakeboard, a Canadian company, on expanding their operations and control of the industry. It is my hope that these acquisitions which give them a greater share of the market and indicate a healthy level of confidence, will provide further opportunities for their Sault operations.

Read last night's announcement from Flakeboard

"I have been meeting with Flakeboard officials concerning plans for the Sault Ste. Marie plant. I am hoping that FEDNOR through a change in its terms of reference will be able to assist Flakeboard. Right now, FEDNOR is not as flexible in its funding guidelines as those in the business community and I feel is appropriate. I will do what I can in this regard as the federal Member of Parliament."

This acquisition by Flakeboard now in its final negotiations represents particleboard and MDF capacity of 1.1 billion square feet, complementing the existing 400 million square feet currently manufactured within Flakeboard's operations.

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