THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER

1st Issue Aug., 1965

PETERSON REPLIES TO CORBEIL

The following letter was re- ceived by Maurice Corbeil, Financial Secretary of Local 1-85 IWA, from the Hon. L. R. Peterson, Minister of La- bour, in reply to the one he sent (see Lumber Worker 2nd issue June) charging that Peterson’s Department “had been sold a bill of goods by the forest industry” in claim- ing B.C. was short of exper- ienced loggers.

“Dear Sir:

“This will acknowledge and thank you for your letter of June 28th with reference to the establishment of a train- ing course to meet the grow- ing demand for loggers.

“While I appreciate your interest and concern in this matter, I would point out that not only has a demand for loggers been created by ex- pansion in the logging in-

‘

dustry itself, but that the many new pulp mills which will be coming into produc- tion during the next few years will add considerably to that need.

“Further, this is the first time formal training has been given in this field in this Province, It will meet the needs of those wishing to be employed in the industry and, because there will be no spe- cific age or educational re- strictions, many persons who would otherwise find them- selves barred from earning a living will be able to become gainfully employed.

“T would add that before the program was finalized, discussions were held with of- ficials of the International Woodworkers of America, and that they raised two prin- cipal objections. These relat-

ed to workmen’s compensa- tion for trainees in the event of injury, and concern for what became of the end pro- duct. The first of these was resolved when it was arrang- ed that the training would come under the provisions of the Apprenticeship and Tradesmen’s Qualification Act, and the second when it was realized that there would be no marketable value to any end product that might result.

“Please be assured: of my continued interest in enhanc- ing the capabilities of those in the labour force so that they may be employed and play their part in building the economy of the Province.

“Yours very truly, “lL. R. PETERSON, “Minister of Labour.”

"SUPPORT THE N.D.P."

Claude Jodoin, President of the Canadian Labour Con- gress, speaking at the recent New Democratic Party con- vention in Toronto, called on all the workers in Canada to support the NDP.

CLAUDE JODOIN

Jodoin said that Canada is experiencing strange political times. “In Ottawa we are seeing a ferment of cocktail political personalities display- ing everything from sheer crookedness to innocent in- eptness.”

Turning to economic affairs Jodoin said that the report of the Economic Council of Can- ada favoured planning “which has now become a re- spectable word.” If we fail in planning Canada’s econ- omy, “half the population will have to support the other half.” With a million and a half jobs to be found by 1970, it is time that words were supplemented with action.

“We must have a health charter for Canadians as Can- ada’s top centennial job,” he told almost a thousand dele- tes, “The Hall Report on alth services proved it can

done.” There is a great deal of

poverty in this country, the CLC head went on, but to deal with it we have a legis- lative patchwork suffering from serious flaws. For ex- ample, we have to do much more “to meet the country’s needs in housing for low in- come families.”

. Jodoin said that the adop- tion of the Canada Pension Plan may make some people think that we are fulfilling our responsibilities to our senior citizens. “This is far from the truth,” he contend- ed. In addition to further steps in this field, “Canada needs a more dramatic ap-

proach to education. Jurisdic- tional quarrels between gov- ernments should not be al- lowed to stand in the way.”

Education must give youth the opportunity to qualify themselves for the ~ future needs of a growing nation, he

added.

What Canada must have, he said in concluding, is more statesmen and fewer “poli- ticians.” He defined a states- man as one who tries to find out what he can do for his country, while a politician is one who tries to find what the country can do for him.

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White Collar Worker

THE WESTERN CANADIAN

LUMBER @ WORKER

Published twice monthly as the official publication of the <zp.2 INTERNATIONAL WOODWORKERS OF AMERICA, Western Canadian Regional Council No. 1. Affiliated with AFL-CIO-CLC

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Forwarded to ever member of the IWA in Western Canada in accordance with convention decisions. Subscription rate for non-members

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27,500 copies printed in this issue.

x

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