![]() ![]() It has dramatically improved its energy and labour efficiency. It has secured a special, favourable 10-year labour agreement with CEP union. It is almost 100% Canadian owned with most of that ownership right in Thunder Bay. It makes value-added speciality fine printing papers for books, magazines and high quality brochures. It and the families in Thunder Bay need the help of the Minister of Industry, perhaps through FedNor. It needs the help of the federal government. It has been bought and reorganized under new management, local Thunder Bay management. Under previous absentee owners, it was mismanaged. We have a specialized mill in Thunder Bay that makes fine printing papers. I have a special plea for the Minister of Industry. This commitment complements the transfer of active employment insurance assistance and training measures and funding under the Employment Insurance Act to the provinces and territories to provide them with flexibility to focus on job training and employment support on local and regional market needs. During this time we will need to train many workers to transition to new and different employment opportunities. The government is investing $3 billion in the new labour market agreements with the provinces to adjust the gap in labour market programming for those who do not currently qualify for training under the employment insurance program. This encourages employers to hire apprentices. Some of the incentives our government has given to assist individuals are investing in the apprenticeship incentive grants and, through the apprenticeship, job creation tax credits. To encourage, support and assist these individuals entering skilled trades and apprenticeships, our government has created many incentives to help people excel in these areas. However, that is what the community is about and that is how we work together as a community. The Santa Clause parade is a special time and the kids' smiles are quite incredible, but I knew, looking at the kids and their smiles, that behind each of those children are parents who have quite a bit of strain because their employment is not as certain as it might be. As we rode down Main Street in a horse-drawn wagon, and I do apologize to the horses, the people were 10 deep on each side of the street. They were still out there working for their community. While we were judging some of the floats, it was amazing to see how many of the manufacturing facilities and their employees still pulled together and had some of the best looking floats. ![]() Thomas, especially when the economy is not all that great. We were looking at one of the largest parades and one of the largest turnouts I have ever seen in St. I met up with the interviewer again on Saturday night when she was doing more interviews with us as we judged the floats for the Santa Claus parade.
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