Federal Industry Minister Tony Clement is receiving a backlash from Sudbury's mayor and local MP's after comments he made to a local news source.
“There was going to be no buyer, there were going to be no jobs, there weren't going to be any capital investments, there was going to be no employer. That was the Valley of Death Sudbury faced,” Clement said in response to United Steelworkers international president Leo Gerard.
Gerard said the Canadian government let Sudburians down by not forcing Vale Inco to live up to commitments it made when purchasing Inco.
Sudbury Mayor John Rodriguez responded publicly by letter stating, “I find your (Clement's) remarks intemperate, to say the least, and disappointingly misinformed for someone who holds a Cabinet position and who is the federal minister responsible for economic development in Northern Ontario.”
The mayor stated the city is far from becoming a “Valley of Death,” with world-class mineral wealth and that prior to the sale of Inco, interest was expressed from not only Vale, but international mining giants Phelps Dodge and Xstrata plc.
Rodriguez defended the city's economic situation, stating the city is a mining innovation think-tank and has the most highly skilled mining workforce in the world. He also cited the most recent unemployment statistics that show the city to be below the provincial average.
“Minister, I cannot stress strongly enough that Greater Sudbury is not a backwater mining camp, but an industrious city with a very diversified local economy,” Rodriguez wrote.
He invited Clement to visit Sudbury to show industries he says are important for economic diversification of the city.
Local NDP MP's were also quick to respond to Clement's remarks.
Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle, who is also the NDP's mining critic, said the government has a hidden agenda with this issue.
“This minister has his head stuck in the sand and I'm asking for his resignation,” he said. “Inco has always been a very viable operation and you would think Clement might do a little research before making such a ridiculous statement.”
“Clement should be ashamed of himself for making comments like this during a labour dispute,” said Sudbury MP Glenn Thibeault. “Instead of providing assistance, he is willing to sell out Sudbury.”
