Howard Hampton questions Ontario's $25 million loan to Terrace Bay Pulp

Howard Hampton, MPP of Kenora, had serious questions for Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle regarding the provincial government's $25 million loan to Terrace Bay Pulp.

Hampton wanted to know what the government would be doing for the other idled forestry operations in the region. Hampton added that thousands of laid-off sawmill workers can’t pay their bills.

Gravelle fired back during the question period exchange saying that it takes only one mill to start a chain reaction, and that the Terrace Bay mill is one of the biggest assets to the industry.

The public seems skeptical that the Terrace Bay Pulp mill will be operating soon. A recent poll on tbnewswatch.com resulted in 65% of participants selecting 'no' when asked a $25-million provincial loan will allow the Terrace Bay Pulp mill to reopen within 3 months.

Sources:

Hampton concerned with $25M loan

Poll for Monday, November 23, 2009