Wait and see about federal money, says woodlot owner

Dec. 19, 2008

Forestry is an important sector in Canada comparable to the automobile industry, says a Northumberland Forest Product Marketing Board representative.

Jean-Guy Comeau, the board's president, said both sectors have been in Canada for a long time and the effect of the auto sector in big cities is similar to forestry in rural areas.

"Forestry in New Brunswick plays a big role in rural communities," he explained.

With the country caught in a global economic crisis, the federal government announced last week they planned a $3 billion cash infusion for the struggling automotive sector.

The Conservatives' previous economic statement didn't include a stimulus package to help boost the economy, but recent parliamentary turmoil led to an about face from Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

His government is now talking about giving money to the struggling forestry and mining sectors. Comeau said forestry is one of the sectors that needs an infusion. "We're going through a very tough time."

The automotive and forestry sectors are two of the most important industries in Canada, he said. "Even though we're down we shouldn't think that we're dead."

Comeau said stakeholders need to sit down with the government to discuss where the money should go and assess the forestry sector's future, because it will be different.

"As it is there now it's not very good."

Northumberland County Woodlot Owners Association president Frank MacLaughlin said in the past, millions of dollars in government money went to big industry instead of private woodlot owners. "My reaction is wait and see."

In the last provincial budget, the government made deep cuts to silviculture funding throughout New Brunswick. MacLaughlin said it's one of the big issues he sees for the woodlot owners. "We haven't given up."

MacLaughlin said silviculture is important to woodlot owners because they need to work on the spacing of their trees and the improvements would create jobs. "You have to look at your land."

CEP Local 689 president Chris Allison said companies will be looking for government handouts, but they should be held accountable and have money come back to taxpayers. "Otherwise these bailouts are going to continue."

Recent new job announcements, like with Dew Enterprises, won't replace all the jobs lost in the forestry sector and the area needs manufacturing jobs, he said.

"We need new job creation around here if it's not going to be in forestry."

Allison said he thinks Harper got cocky and needs to start playing ball with the other parties to make things work. "I think Mr. Harper's going to finally start to listen."