RUNCIMAN URGES PROVINCIAL
INVOLVEMENT IN ISSUE THAT COULD AFFECT CARDINAL
PLAN
Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman says the Ontario
government should intervene in a trade matter
with the U.S. that could kill 200 jobs in Cardinal.
Runciman said in a statement issued Wednesday
that Joseph Cordiano, the province's economic
development minister, should make sure federal
officials are aware of the implications of imposing
tariffs on U.S. grain corn.
The move is being considered in response to
allegations from Canadian corn producers that
U.S. corn is being sold in Canada at cheap rates
made possible by government subsidies.
Corn Products International Incorporated, the
parent company of Casco, has said its Cardinal
corn-processing plant, along with two other
Canadian operations, is in limbo if tariffs
are imposed on U.S. grain and this drives up
costs.
Casco employs about 230 people in Cardinal.
"The Ontario government, in my view, has
a responsibility to be involved here, to ensure
that every impact on the province that could
flow from the imposition of tariffs is understood
and communicated," said Runciman, a Conservative
MPP and former economic development minister.
"Over the past few years, we've seen a
significant loss of manufacturing jobs in this
part of the province, and we can't afford to
lose any more, resulting from governmental decisions
that don't weigh all the implications."
The Canada Border Service Agency is looking
into allegations of unfair trade practices from
the America corn industry.
A decision on the matter is expected December
15.
