Economic exile urges premier to help
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Updated: November 04, 2009 9:31 AM
An open letter to premier Gordon Campbell:
Dear Mr. Premier,
I am writing you with deep concern regarding the now dire economic situation affecting Kitimat, as well as all those communities surrounding Kitimat, with the disturbing announcement that West Fraser Mills will permanently close the Eurocan Pulp and Paper Mill on January 31, 2010.
This means 535 direct jobs will be lost and many hundreds more jobs lost indirectly related to supporting Eurocan’s operations as well as Eurocan’s direct contributions to Kitimat, Terrace and the Northwest.
As I sat in front of my satellite television tonight here in Fort McMurray, Alberta (where my entire family now reside), I see the report of the impending Eurocan closure on the news.
My first concern is for many, many close friends still struggling to survive in an already gloomy economic situation in Kitimat.
My second concern is for the livelihood and future of the community.
Mr. Premier, will you allow West Fraser to close Eurocan on January 31? How can you as premier of BC welcome the world to Vancouver just two-weeks later for the 2010 Olympics while hundreds, if not thousands of families on BC’s North Coast will be struggling to support their families and put food on their tables?
Kitimat has suffered many blows by government mismanagement over the years. The population has significantly dropped and there is already uncertainty regarding the future of Alcan.
And this is to be allowed to continue in light of pouring billions of dollars (some are taxpayer dollars from the residents of Kitimat) into a games where a majority of the population aren’t even having access to tickets for?
After close to 24 years in Kitimat, in 2002 my family faced economic uncertainty when my father was laid off. The bags were packed, the house was sold (at a huge loss) and we relocated to Fort McMurray.
Since arriving here our family has been very successful in establishing new roots and starting new careers with large companies that are stable, growing, and investing in their people.
Myself, I left a 13-year career in the broadcast industry and am now employed with Shell Canada Energy making well over a six figure salary.
We often say it would be nice to have secure, stable, well paying jobs like we have now back home in BC, especially in Kitimat.
You would not believe how many people I run into in Fort McMurray from Kitimat or Terrace that have recently relocated because of the promise of a future and stability for their families.
And many are saddened to have to leave but many don’t have a choice because in the last nine years there has been nothing but economic decline, cuts, mismanagement of money and a lack of commitment to save the local industries that are the backbone of BC’s economy.
Mr. Premier, it’s time to stop focusing on the Olympics, look at what has made British Columbia what it is today, and save these small communities from what could be virtual extinction in the very near future.
It’s time to help Kitimat save its second largest employer and put British Columbia back on the world stage as a province that looks after its people.
After today’s news regarding Eurocan in Kitimat, I find it hard to even show any enthusiasm or support for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Can you give me and the citizens of Kitimat any reason why they should now?
My heart and prayers go out to everyone back “home” in Kitimat and rest assured you have our support here in Alberta, or wherever us Kitimat people may reside now.
Sincerely,
Ian D. Seggie.
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