News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

Joyce calls for update on gypsum initiatives

Eddie Joyce, MHA for the District of Bay of Islands, is calling upon government to provide an update on any activities or initiatives that are being undertaken by government related to the closure of the Lafarge gypsum plant in Corner Brook.  

AWhen the closure of the gypsum plant was announced, Humber East MHA Tom Marshall, Premier Williams and Industry Minister Trevor Taylor all stated that they were working on a plan to help displaced workers,@ said Mr. Joyce. ASince that time, I have not heard a word from anyone regarding the status of the discussions or initiatives being undertaken by government.  

AI have been contacted by many of the former workers at this plant who are now being forced to leave the province in search of work. Minister Marshall stated that government had leads on new investors, but there has been no public statement since and the workers have not been briefed on any new developments. The time has come to provide these people with factual information as to whether new opportunities exist. We have heard the same rhetoric time and time again from this government, yet no results were produced from their supposed action.  

AThe premier has also stated that they are looking for federal assistance for this situation, but continues to fight with Ottawa. Is he serious about getting federal aid or is this fight harming our chances of securing funding for these displaced workers? While the premier continuously states that the economy of Corner Brook looks rosy, I can assure him that this is not the case for the 70 laid off workers from the plant.  

AIf there is a plan in place, the time has come to release it publicly. The workers have been waiting for months and need answers now. Any further delay is unfair to these people and their families.@

Media Contact:
Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6151 or 709-687-0477