Saguenay, QC – The Hon. Pierre Poilievre,  Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition, stands with forestry workers in opposing the Trudeau government’s imposition of a Ministerial Order to block the logging of several thousand square kilometres of Quebec’s forests for the purpose of protecting woodland caribou.

“The Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region will be hit hard if the Minister of the Environment decides to go ahead with his proposed order. Justin Trudeau is directly attacking jobs in the region,” said Mr. Poilievre.

“The forestry industry is one of the pillars of the region. The Liberal order could put an end to approximately 1600 direct and indirect jobs in the sector, weakening the entire processing chain. We’re talking about paycheques that allow workers to put food on the table for their families who are already facing Justin Trudeau’s inflation. Now the Liberals are telling them they’re going to lose their jobs. It doesn’t make sense,” said Poilievre.

“The prosperity of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region depends on the responsible development of its natural resources. Justin Trudeau is an obstacle. In 8 years he failed to negotiate a new deal with the Americans on softwood lumber, which the Harper government did in its first year in office. He opposed the LNG Quebec project that would have created thousands of jobs in the region. Now he is attacking the forestry industry.”

“As Prime Minister, I will reverse this order. I will work with the Quebec government and the businesses in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean to protect the environment and jobs. It is entirely possible to do both and to encourage projects that are beneficial to the region. Let’s bring back common sense. Let’s protect our jobs. 

The Quebec government is preparing to table its plan to protect the woodland caribou by June 2023. Until then, the federal government should not interfere with provincial decisions. It is a question of respecting provincial jurisdiction.