Today’s announcement that over 100 employees will be laid off at Heli-One Composites in Gander, combined with yesterday’s announcement of 130 layoffs at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, an ailing fishery that has impacted thousands of workers, and other downturns that are negatively impacting workers and local economies, Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones is challenging government to bring forward their strategy and plans to deal with the worsening economic situation.

Last fall, the Official Opposition challenged government to participate in an all-party economic summit that would involve representatives from all affected sectors of the provincial economy. The purpose of the summit was to deal with the global economic downturn and its impact on Newfoundland and Labrador. Government rejected that idea with the belief that our province was in a better position to weather the economic storm than other regions.

“When news of an economic downturn was reported both nationally and internationally, I was concerned that our government was unprepared to deal with the impacts that could take place locally within our province,” said Ms. Jones. “With the recent layoffs in our forestry, fishery and manufacturing sectors, it is obvious that government is again being reactive without any real plan in place to help those affected.

“I have already requested that government develop a strategy to help displaced workers and affected industries during this challenging period. Our provincial government has not brought forward any concrete strategies outlining their plans to help the affected industries. Instead of jumping from crisis to crisis, I encourage the premier to develop a province-wide planning initiative that will assist displaced workers in all industries until the economy rebounds.

“With the announced layoffs in both Corner Brook and Gander over the past 48 hours, in addition to the thousands of fishery workers who remain idle because of the downturn in that industry, the importance of timely action is more urgent than ever.”