The Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec’s (FTQ) regional representative for Mont-Orford, Marc Bellemare, is pleased that Quebec has rejected the lone bid to re-launch the ski hill.
“Obviously the sole contender doesn’t have what it takes to guarantee the long-term sustainability and future development of Mont Orford. The only positive aspect of this entire saga is that the 2010–2011 ski season will see the light of day, not to mention that patrons can continue to rely on the professionalism and cooperation of FTQ-affiliated CUPE workers at the mountain,” said Bellemare.
“As the MRC will be taking over Mont Orford and the search for a viable operator, the FTQ wants to assure elected officials that they have the union’s full cooperation, just as they did when establishing the advocacy committee. But we deplore the fact that the workers were not informed of the latest developments,” insisted Bellemare. “In the past, all of the predecessors of Pierre Arcand, Quebec Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, have worked closely with Mont Orford employees in their attempts to get the region’s top destination back on track.”