Busy Time for Abitibi-Bowater

The Federal Government will sit down with Abitibi Bowater to discuss its 1.3-billion dollar shortfall in employee pension plans.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty plans to talk with the financially crippled company to see what help the federal government can offer.
Kenora MP Greg Rickford says while the Abitibi situation is critical, the government is looking at all aspects of the forest industry.
Rickford says the Federal Government also plans to meet with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union to discuss their plan to create a trust fund for Abitibi pensioners.
He points out that Flaherty has promised to sit down with all sides after they meet with the Provincial Government.
Meantime, an Abitibi-Bowater official in Northwestern Ontario is still optimistic about the company’s future.
John Harrison has provided an update on the company’s status.
Harrison says the focus over the next few months is shaping the company so that it can exit credit protection.
He adds Abitibi-Bowater is also continuing to examine alternative production for its high-gloss paper machine in Fort Frances that’s scheduled to be idled by the end of the year.