Churchill NDP MP Niki Ashton is getting her message across with the help of American filmmaker Michael Moore. (HOUSE OF COMMONS / IMDB)
The decision by Vale to close the smelter and refinery plant in Thompson, Manitoba has come under severe opposition since its announcement.
The impact of the closure would affect the livelihood of many in the area, but a Manitoba politician has been fighting tirelessly to ensure that doesn’t happen.
Churchill NDP MP Niki Ashton has enlisted the help of documentary filmmaker Michael Moore to help share her message of the devastating impact the closure would have.
Moore has expressed an interest in Ashton’s cause to save jobs in her home community. He plans to post Ashton’s YouTube video on his website as well as post a series of blog entries by Ashton and the people who are losing their jobs.
The Brazilian company is investing $10 billion in Canada, but still plans to close the smelter plant by 2015.
Vale received a $1 billion loan from the federal government based on promises to increase employment.
Moore and his team pointed to the parallels between the Thompson story and the story of Flint, Michigan as told in Moore’s film “Roger and Me.”
“Our community is the latest victim,” Ashton said in a release. “Our goal was to get our message spread globally. We are fighting back. We are happy to have Michael Moore help us get our message to the world.”
