NDP Leader Howard Hampton says real action is needed to help the forestry sector with the news of layoffs at four more mills in Northern Ontario.

“Almost a thousand more people have lost their jobs and all Dalton McGuinty does is point fingers at Stephen Harper and play the blame game. After years of mill closures, layoffs and damage to the forest industry communities, Northerners deserve to know: What is Dalton McGuinty’s plan to reposition the forest industry and when are we going to see some results?” asked Hampton.

Today, a news source reported that Buchanan Forest Products will temporarily shut down four mills. Lay-off notice has been given to between 700 and 800 people at MacKenzie Forest Products in Sioux Lookout, Northern Hardwood in Thunder Bay, Atikokan Forest Products, and Dubreuil Forest Products in Dubreuilville near Wawa.

“Working men and women need more than a Premier who ‘pitches’ his concerns and strikes out,” said Hampton.

Pointing to today’s failed meeting between McGuinty and the Prime Minister, “Dalton McGuinty has closed too many mills. He’s destroyed too many good forestry jobs. It’s time to repair the damage Dalton McGuinty has done,” Hampton said.

Hampton again called for a number of initiatives that would help the manufacturing and the hard working Ontarians it employs. These include:

· The creation of an industrial hydro rate that would go a long way to reducing the costs associated with the manufacturing in Ontario, while at the same time promoting conservation and guaranteeing employment.

· A “Buy Ontario” policy that would give preferential treatment to goods manufactured in Ontario.

· The creation of a Jobs Commissioner who would bring labour, management and government to the table to avert plant closures and job losses.