Kenora-Rainy River NDP MPP Howard Hampton isn't impressed with the McGuinty government giving Thunder Bay's Buchanan Group of Companies more than $80 million in provincial assistance to the struggling forestry company while laid-off employees are left with no severance.
Hampton said Buchanan has terminated almost 2,000 forestry workers across northwestern Ontario yet under Ontario law, those workers are entitled to receive severance or termination pay.
Hampton said Buchanan received more than $30 million for road building and more than $26 million for its Terrace Bay pulp operation plus additional money for deferred stumpage fees along with a loan guarantee.
Hampton said he has received no satisfactory answer from Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle if the government plans to force Buchanan to comply with the law.
“When it comes to a choice between enforcing labour rights and lining the pockets of Liberal-friendly companies, the McGuinty Liberals' position is clear. The company gets the cash, the workers get the shaft,” said Hampton.
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