04-26-2006, 02:27 PM
The towns all around Thunder Bay are experiencing very similar problems. The problem that's become the final nail in the coffin here is energy costs. The sad part is that North Western Ontario produces so much energy, it sometimes is run into the ground because we can't use it all. The wonderful pricing of energy in Ontario means that when everyone in Toronto turns on their air conditioners and energy prices jump, the mills here have to pay the same price as businesses in Toronto - even if, as a region, there's no reason for the increased prices. This means that frequently during the summer (and occasionally all year round) the mills here simply shut down and send everyone home until the energy prices come down. Of course the softwood lumber dispute with the US isn't helping, either.
gekko
gekko
"Life is sacred and you are not its steward. You have stewardship over it but you don't own it. You're making a choice to go through this, it's not just happening to you. You're inviting it, and in some ways delighting in it. It's not accidental or coincidental. You're choosing it. You have to realize you've made choices."
-Michael Ventura, "Letters@3AM"
-Michael Ventura, "Letters@3AM"