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News
Release |
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Foote concerned about delay in government support for
Fortune May 17, 2006
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Judy Foote, MHA for the District of Grand Bank and Opposition Critic for
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, is pressing the provincial
government to fast track assistance they committed for former workers of the
closed fish plant in Fortune. Terminated employees are requesting emergency job creation programs from the provincial government to enable them to support themselves and their families and remain in their community. Information requested from the workers by the provincial government has been submitted, but there has been no word on when any job creation initiatives will be rolled out. "Despite questioning today in the House of Assembly, I still was not able to get any clear answers on the nature of the assistance or any guaranteed time lines from the minister," says Foote. "While he may not appreciate the urgency of providing this assistance, I am reminded each and every day as I speak with my constituents, particularly those affected by the shut-down of the plant, of the need for some meaningful opportunity to replace the income cold-heartedly snatched from them by their former employer. "In the next three months, 196 more people will be without income and time is not a luxury these people have. Not only is it essential to have a prompt response from government, affected residents also need to be reassured that any program provides them with more than the basic minimum wage. Those who have worked with Fishery Products International (FPI) have been use to a higher income and naturally, they are concerned about a significant drop in their income. The suggestion that there may be an EI extension is cold comfort for those workers over 50, who constitute the majority of those who were cold-heartedly terminated by FPI. EI extension simply means the continuation of EI if a person wishes to be retrained. This is not an option for the majority of those affected. "It is urgent that the provincial government rustle up every ounce of effort, determination and resources to fast track this income relief. The people of Fortune and surrounding communities who depended on FPI for economic stability already have had to endure a great deal of turmoil. At this point, some form of stability in their lives would be reassuring to carry them through these challenging times. I will continue to press this government to live up to their responsibility." |
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