The $1 billion environmental grant for Canadian pulp producers is a welcome shot in the arm for our reeling forestry sector. Albeit a drop in the bucket in the big picture, the credit comes at the 11th hour for many of B.C.'s mills, in particular, Howe Sound Pulp and Paper.
Canadian producers are trying to compete with their American counterparts that receive a "green" subsidy for creating black liquor, a by-product of the pulp-making process that is considered a biofuel. The catch is that they have to add diesel fuel to the process to be eligible.
Now I'm not David Suzuki, but there's nothing "green" about adding otherwise un-needed diesel to black liquor. It's completely contrary to the intent of the bill, which is intended for vehicles and such to convert to greener fuels. However, the American government continues to subsidize their pulp mills through a disastrous loophole that could jeopardize the global pulp and paper industry. It's just another example of the Obama administration demonstrating U.S. protectionism.
Unfortunately, we must protect our own mills from becoming uncompetitive by subsidizing them as long as the American government continues with this absurd tax loophole. Is it "green"? No. Is it right to help our B.C. mills remain competitive? Absolutely.
Andrew Appleton
Gibsons
