Page 38 - "Parade of Concern" for Sydney Steel

ISSUE : Issue 58

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1991/8/1

But in 1966. you know, the coal industry was finished. It was gone. And there was no thought of a Lingan.... So it was in that setting. And nobody was concerned about the steel plant. Because if you would check--Stanfield had just completed a provincial election some months before. And in his campaigning he was talking about the steel plant and its future. And I guess he was honest and sin? cere. Stanfield always had the reputation of being an honest, upright man. (Then) shortly after that election, he became the national leader of the Progressive Conser? vatives. And shortly after G. I. Smith took over (as premier of Nova Scotia). we had Black Friday. So. we had the politicians on our side. Because they claimed they had no idea it was going to happen. And they had been told exactly the opposite (by steel plant management). So they were angry. We were able to get some key leading politicians Discover Richmond County From Johnstown to Arichat, Lx)uisdale to Lx)ch Lx)mond, an extraordinary mixture of Acadian and Irish, Micmac and Scottish traditions welcomes the visitor. The setting is the quiet beauty of Richmond County. The culture and heritage are centuries old. We invite you to take Route 4, the road that leads through Richmond County. It is the road less travelled, and it will make all the difference in your Cape Breton Vacation. MUNICIPALITY OF THE COUNTY OF RICHMOND UAUBERGE ACADIENNE TK1)I1I()AI, WthCIATIKYNCADIW INN OPEN ALL YEAR! Acadian Cuisine in a traditional setting Newly Renovated. Luxury accommodations in a 19th Century period setting. At Arichat on Isle Madame Call: (902) 226-2200 who were angry at the company. And that worked to our favour. Stanfield had no idea that the company was going to close. It came as that much of a surprise. Union people, nobody. Now, I mean, people might go back and say. "Well, yes, we knew this...." We didn't know. We had no idea that the steel plant was going to be closed. So it was a surprise. (How did you first learn about it?) It was a newscast, and I think it came from Mon? treal. And it came as a very clear, blunt statement--"It's going to close"--and the dates were all there. By the end of the year--1967. the current year--most of it would be closed down. And then there was a phase-out that would be complete by about April of '68--something like that. It was very clearcut. And there was no discussion about it, and there were no negotiations or anything. It was just a clear, blunt statement of closure.... The company was just apparently going to walk right out of it. There was no indica? tion from the company that anything was going to happen, other than the steel plant was going to close. Whereas the Donald Report was a report for government, what was going to happen (as the coal industry closed down), and then (Donald) strongly recommended the social factors that had to be considered by gov? ernment. So there was tremendous pressure on government, in the coal part, to do something about the effects. Whereas with steel, there was nothing--it was just a closure. The plant was laid off. ROUTE 4 The road less travelled! Discover Nova Scotia's most beautiful secret.. Dundee R. R. #2, West Bay, N. S. BOE 3K0 Phone (902) 345-2649 ? Fax:(902)345-2697 Professionally Designed 18-Hole Golf Course • Executive Chalets Modem Housekeeping Cottages • Fully Licensed Dining Room TENNIS • MARINA • SWIMMING POOL YACHT CHAKTER/SAIUNG SCtKKX Qfajfm "'''' For reservations call 902-345-2649 902-345-2345 NOVA SCOTIAS GOLDEN SEA Cape Breton Island, Dundee Resort Marina ' West Bay, Nova ScoUa BOE 3K0 30 minutes from the Canso Causeway

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