Headlines from this weeks SPEC

Nov. 17, 2002

Tourism Conference in Gaspe brings new ideas
Charlene Eden

The Gaspesian Regional Tourism Association (ATR) recently held a colloquium on the region’s tourism industry entitled "Navigate Towards the Future." During the conference, the Gaspesian tourism development policy was put forth. The plan has a three-year mandate, which began in March 2002 and will end in March 2004. Numerous strategic orientations surround the policy, all of which hope to increase tourism and make it a powerful economic industry.

While numerous objectives for the next three years were tabled, a number of priorities were made clear, including improving the region’s visibility with the help of a marketing strategy. According to Louis Rome, director general of ATR, the marketing orientation will work to increase both the number of tourists coming to the region and the overall economic impact of the tourism industry. Prolonging the tourist season is also a goal, as is promoting the region outside of the province.

More than $1.5 bilion will be spent in windmill energy over the next decade in Quebec
Will the Gaspe be able to get its share in spinoffs?
Gilles Gagne

The fact that Hydro-Quebec will buy 1,000 megawatts of wind energy over the next decade means that more than $1.5 billion will be invested in Quebec during that period to install windmill turbines, towers and power lines.

The amount of money is huge, but the equation is simple, and confirmed by most experts in wind energy. At least $1.5 million must be invested for each megawatt installed. So a quantity of 1,000 megawatts suggests investments of more than $1.5 billion

Unemployment insurance reform not forgotten
Gilles Gagne

NEW CARLISLE - Members of the Coalition chomage for the Gaspe, Magdalen Islands, Matapedia and Matane used Remembrance Day to underline another sad event, the fact that, at the end of 2002, more than 50 percent of the people who pay unemployment contributions are not eligible for unemployment benefits.

Gaetan Cousineau, the director of Action chomage Pabok and a founder of the Coalition, organized four small demonstrations on November 11th in Gaspe, Chandler, New Carlisle and New Richmond to heighten people awareness of the problem of the increasingly restrictive Unemployment Insurance Program.

"We also remember that in 1990, 90 percent of the people paying their contribution to the program could receive unemployment benefits. At the beginning of 1994, the proportion was down to 80 percent. And then came the harsh measures of the Liberal Government. The proportion of potential beneficiaries gradually fell to 50 percent between 1994 and 2002. The program is not adapted anymore to current labor market conditions, characterized by the rise of part time jobs and contracts to free-lance workers. A sizeable proportion of these workers pay their contribution but do not work enough hours to get benefits if they are laid off. The UI program must be revamped", explained Gaetan Cousineau in New Carlisle.