Local Woodfibre union president Doug Muir joined other high ranking members of the Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada (PPWC) on a trip to Victoria Tuesday (Jan. 10). But discussions no longer revolved around stopping Woodfibre's shutdown, according to Muir.
"At one point our whole intent was to try and stop the deal," he said. "And now after talking to our members, it's clear that many of them want to move on."
Muir, local vice-presidents Doug Lee Smith and Don Poje and two national officers, Jim King and Greg Hall, met with Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman Tuesday to discuss concerns with the direction the province is taking with forestry.
"My point is what happened at Woodfibre is just one example of what I think is not very good forest policies," said Muir. "These businesses and corporations come and get timber and move and leave, sell and trade and do all the things they do and the jobs get damaged and there's no ability to hold them to keeping the employment levels in the communities and in the mills. There used to be that commitment and we told them we're not trying to turn the clock back but my question to the minister and to the government is do you think the code's working as best as you'd like it to work for all the stakeholders? Of course our opinion is it's not."
The PPWC members asked that they be included in future discussions on forestry policies, and Muir said he hopes this level of influence may ensure that the Woodfibre mill is available if a potential buyer comes along.
"We're concerned that maybe our certification up here won't remain," said Muir. "Maybe somebody will come along in a few months or a year and when the markets are better and the dollar is better and say 'We're going to open it up.' So we just want to be in a position where we can have some input into how to make it a stronger industry."
Mayor Ian Sutherland had offered to join the union on their trip to Victoria, but Muir said it will be more appropriate to have Sutherland along if and when they request funds for a skills retraining program for laid off workers.
Rick West of Quantum Power may offer workers the opportunity to develop new skills with his proposed wind turbine manufacturing plant. Sutherland met with West on Thursday (Jan. 5) and said the proposal is "a great concept for Squamish."
"Rick has a clear understanding of what he wants to get done, he has a clear understanding of how to get there," said Sutherland. "The union supports it, which is a big step. We support it as a community, it's good for us. And now I think the next step is Rick is drawing up his business plan, trying to acquire some land and then we'll go on from there."
