Panel data provided by Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter.

Are we about to be had... again?

By Ben Meisner

If I can offer up a suggestion to Premier Gordon Campbell it is that he take the last agreement between the Province and Alcan to bed  and read it over very carefully . When he is finished, he will find two things killed his two MLA's (Roger Harris and Bill Belsey) out west in Skeena and the North Coast . First, the economy of the region  is in the toilet (in large measure because of Alcan) and secondly,  the fact the provincial government is prepared to give the company 50 million dollars to build a cold water release on the Nechako. We have been had so many times in dealing with Alcan that even the ladies of the night on Queesway are envious. The agreement signed by the Province under Glen Clark and Paul Ramsey indeed says the Province will pony up 50 million for a cold water release and Alcan 50 million. It also asks that the Federal Government be encouraged to contribute 50 million.  That would bring the total to 150 million, and that's how much the Fed's once said it would cost. One wonders aloud, if the project does go ahead with just two contributing to the pot  (Ottawa's already said it had a deal whereby Alcan paid all of it so why would we want something different) just what will it cost the people of this province?  Hold it for a moment , consider this  Mr. Premier, just how much tax has Alcan paid in British Columbia?  They paid 200 million in all of  Canada, but neglected to tell everyone that amount includes taxes paid by its employees. So just how much did we receive by way of taxes from this company? It's estimated they paid 10-15 million and we're offering 50 million? The bigger issue Mr. Campbell   is that little section in the contract which says Alcan must bring its mill up to full operating capacity . They haven't lived up to the terms of that contract and you're busy handing out our money while the layoffs continue willy-nilly?  Write them a letter, tell them to live up to the agreement.  After all, they are getting over 160 million a year in power sales which is what this is all about.  Ask them just how much of that 160 million is profit?  Where has that money been going?  It sure isn't in our provincial piggy bank and a large portion should be. You also should know Alcan pays the least amount for its water rentals of any company in North America, hence the reason why they don't want to smelt aluminum  but just want to sell power. So if we're going to live up to our side of the bargain and give them 50 mill for a cold water release, how about they return the mill to full capacity first,  or take them to court to force that issue. Oh ! I forgot,  part of that last agreement calls upon, "the people of this province" to pay for any litigation entered into by Alcan . All the monkeys are not in the zoo Mr. Premier . So now you wonder why your two MLA's (and in particular Roger Harris) bit the dust . Well the folks in Kitimat are mad, damn mad in fact,  that you haven't forced the company to live up to the signed agreement.  They also wonder why in the world you'ld come clean for 50 million dollars, when the company isn't paying anywhere near that kind of tax in this province. Its worth a read Mr. Premier and its worth a real close look. Its important that big business doesn't run this province.  In the Kitimat region, the folks believe thats what's been happening and the Liberals have been a willing dance partner . Thats why, in large measure Mr. Campbell, your two MLA's are heading over to the E-I office today.  
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