Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach calls for assistance for Houston in House of Commons statement

Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach
speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday
calling for assistance for Houston over forestry cuts

Taylor Bachrach brought a topic from his own constituency to the floor of the House of Commons on Tuesday, with the Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP, speaking out on behalf of residents of Houston who are facing uncertain tines with the plans by Canfor to close their sawmill, with its future still in flux.

“There are few things more devastating for a rural community than learning that its major employer is closing its doors. It’s going to put 300 mill employees out of work -- that's 10 percent of the populations. 

And it will affect hundreds more who work for contractors and local businesses.”  -- Skeena Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach

The MP who represents residents in the Houston area observe how the closure of the mill will have repercussions for the community well beyond the workers to be laid off, but will impact on secondary industries and the District of Houston as well.

As part of his call for assistance Bachrach emphasized that despite solutions brought forward by the Mayor of Houston, the local forestry industry, and the Steelworkers Union -- including federal job creation and re-instatement of EI flexibility -- the Liberal government has taken no action. 

The Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP noting how the province has already steeped up to provide some assistance and how the Federal government is missing when it comes to addressing the situation.

 "The BC government is already on the ground, working with the people of Houston to find solutions. We need the federal government to step up and play a role as well," 

You can review his full presentation to the House of Commons Below.

More notes from the Federal scene can be reviewed through our archive page here.

Some of the challenges facing the forestry sector can be reviewed here.