The Thompson Citizen, which was established in June 1960, covers the City of Thompson and Nickel Belt Region of Northern Manitoba. The city has a population of about 13,500 residents while the regional population is more than 40,000. news@thompsoncitizen.net
Lovro Paulic, General Manager, Smelter and Refinery
Vale, Manitoba Operations, Thompson
To the Thompson Citizen Editor:
Re: “Steve Ashton threatens Vale with provincial mining legislation on smelter and refinery shutdown,” Thompson Citizen online, May 20, 2011.
It was with disappointment that I read comments in the Thompson Citizen recently from MLA Steve Ashton criticizing the City of Thompson and Vale for their decision to launch a process designed to strengthen and diversify the city’s economic base.
It has been more than six months since Vale announced plans to transition its operations to mining and milling by 2015. It was a decision made after years of careful consideration and analysis. Now, it is time to move forward.
This is no longer a story about Vale – it is a story about Thompson and the need to ensure its prosperity for the future. Even in the face of fundamental disagreements, I think everyone would agree that working collaboratively to attract jobs and investment to Thompson is a good thing.