CEP's Makowski wants to meet Minister Cansfield asap

    OTTAWA, Oct. 31 /CNW Telbec/ - The head of Ontario's largest union of
forestry workers says Northern Ontarians are "curious, to say the least" about
the appointment of Donna Cansfield as the new Minister of Natural Resources.
    "No one wants to pre-judge the Minister, but everyone I know in the
sector and in the North has a lot of questions for Ms. Cansfield," said Cec
Makowski, Ontario Vice-President of the 150,000 member Communications, Energy
and Paperworkers Union of Canada.
    "For instance, during an election debate, Ms. Cansfield said the province
should turn management of our forest resources over to the Forest Stewardship
Council. Is that really her plan? Is anyone else going to be consulted on this
issue? What about community and worker involvement in resource management?
Mr. Makowski asked.
    CEP has been spearheading a campaign for major reform to resource
management including the creation of a Chief Forester position in Ontario, a
Northern Ontario hydro authority, an audit of forest resources, a jobs
commissioner to protect and expand employment, and more local control over
forest development.
    The Union plan is in response to a crisis in the sector which has seen
some 8,000 direct job losses and 40,000 indirect job losses across Northern
Ontario in recent years.
    "Our hope is to meet with Ms. Cansfield as soon as possible to share our
ideas and our priorities with her," Mr. Makowski said.

For further information:

For further information: Cec Makowski at (905) 371-6297