Greens support Newfoundland/Labrador Premier
ST. JOHN'S-- Danny Williams’s decision to take back the hydro assets and resource rights that had been leased to forestry giant AbitibiBowater is receiving positive reactions within the Green Party of Canada. “It is nice to see one of our political leaders actually acting like a leader and managing their province’s resources with their citizens' future in mind,” said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.
“With the purchase of the Grand Falls mill, Abitibi inherited a contract, dating back to 1905, from the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Committee, giving them a 99 year lease for 5,180 square kilometres of forest, as well as mineral and water rights,” said Ted Warren, Green Party Candidate for St. John’s South - Mount Pearl in the 2008 election. The forest company paid rent of $2 year per square mile and 50 cents for every thousand board feet produced. “It seems pretty outrageous to imagine the forest company being able to sell the mineral, water and forest land for which they paid nothing. It makes so much sense to take those rights back when a mill closes,” said Elizabeth May.
“It has always been the case that resources belong to the people,” said Ms. May. “Finally we have a politician who is acting in the people’s best interests.”
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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
Office : 613 562 4916 ext. 244
Cell : 613 614 4916
Fax : 613 482 4632
“With the purchase of the Grand Falls mill, Abitibi inherited a contract, dating back to 1905, from the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Committee, giving them a 99 year lease for 5,180 square kilometres of forest, as well as mineral and water rights,” said Ted Warren, Green Party Candidate for St. John’s South - Mount Pearl in the 2008 election. The forest company paid rent of $2 year per square mile and 50 cents for every thousand board feet produced. “It seems pretty outrageous to imagine the forest company being able to sell the mineral, water and forest land for which they paid nothing. It makes so much sense to take those rights back when a mill closes,” said Elizabeth May.
“It has always been the case that resources belong to the people,” said Ms. May. “Finally we have a politician who is acting in the people’s best interests.”
-30-
Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
Office : 613 562 4916 ext. 244
Cell : 613 614 4916
Fax : 613 482 4632
