More Sask Party Horse "PULP"

So here we are, a new government. a new vision, a new way to get pulped.

Last Friday, the Saskatchewan Party government announced it will not be proceeding with the MOU signed by the former NDP government and Domtar regarding the Prince Albert pulp mill.

The Saskatchewan Party said on Friday that it wants to continue discussions with Domtar regarding the reopening of the mill but will not offer grants, loans or equity investments to the company. In a press conference after financial markets closed on Friday afternoon, Sask. Party Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd said the September agreement was scrapped because of its provision for up to $99 million in direct government investment, including $32.5 million in government grants.

Boyd said the province is open to new talks with Domtar about different forms of assistance to get the mill reopened but acknowledged the government is not bringing forth its own proposals to the company.

During the election campaign, a Saskatchewan Party MLA who ran on a pledge of getting the Prince Albert Pulp Mill reopened said the new government will try hard to get it open but acknowledged Tuesday it may not happen.

Darryl Hickie, the Saskatchewan Party MLA for Prince Albert Carlton, said he told voters on the doorstep that "a vote for Darryl Hickie is a vote to open the mill."

But he said Tuesday that voters shouldn't necessarily turf him if the mill isn't up and running by the time of the next election in 2011.

"It will mean that I've done everything possible to get the mill open. A vote for me is a vote to open the mill, however, I'm only part of one entity like I said. There is the industry, there is the union and there is the government. We'll do the best we can from the government side to make this work," said Hickie, a Prince Albert police officer named minister of corrections, public safety and policing by Premier Brad Wall.

Now there's a pile of horse pulp if I've ever seen one!!!! So as I don my rubber hip waders, let me try to grasp this;

During the election campaign, Darryl Hickie ran on a pledge of getting the Prince Albert Pulp Mill reopened. He even went so far as to use the slogan "a vote for Darryl Hickie is a vote to open the mill."

Hickie's illustrious Leader then issues the order that it will not honour the MOU, and that if Domtar wants to open they can feel free to ask us. Oh but if they want public money, then it will probably be a no but go ahead and give us a shot!!

So what are the workers and people living in Prince Alberta supposed to look forward too?

A new MLA who most certainly will do or say anything to get elected. A Government who really isn't interested in seen the mill re-open and a Christmas where Santa Wall will be putting shovels and hip waders under their trees. At least they will be prepared to shovel the line of PULP that they are being handed!!