Why would ACOA approve loan to company that creates fish plant jobs in China?

I posed the following question Wednesday, Dec. 8th in the House of Commons.

Mr. Speaker,

It seems that under the current government's watch ACOA has been throwing money away.

It gave a $1-million loan to Ocean Choice International to process yellowtail flounder in Newfoundland and Labrador.

But, at the same time, that company inked a deal to send the same fish to China for processing.

Why would ACOA approve a loan to a company that creates fish processing jobs in China?

Why is it not funding those jobs here at home?

Response from Gerald Keddy (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Atlantic Gateway):

Mr. Speaker,

I am trying to follow the logic in the question.

I expect maybe the honourable member will have a rebuttal, but I think he is actually taking about the loss of fish-plant jobs in the Marystown plant.

Certainly, if that is what he’s discussing, he has to understand that ACOA is here in Atlantic Canada to help entrepreneurs, to help manufacturers ...

Some honourable members: Oh, oh!

Mr. Speaker: Order. The honourable parliamentary secretary has the floor. I ask members to let him finish his response. The honourable parliamentary secretary.

Keddy: Mr. Speaker, ACOA does due diligence on every loan that it gives out. We have worked closely with Ocean Choice in Newfoundland. We will continue to work closely with all manufacturers in Atlantic Canada.

Comments

Dr Earle said…
Naturally Keddy, talks about something altogether different then the question Ryan asked. The ylt has been creating jobs in China since the time of the loan which has nothing to do with the Marystown closure except that more jobs will be transferred there if the NL government allows the shipping out more ylt. p earle
December 14, 2011 at 3:59 AM
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