Editorial: Government not an ATM

At what point does the province say enough is enough?

When it comes to Global Sticks, that point in time is getting pretty close. Ontario has already invested $5.85 million to help the popsicle-stick company get off the ground.

From the beginning the project has seemed doomed. Introduced with much fanfare a couple of years ago, the Oliver-Paipoonge plant faced delay after delay before finally going into production last year.

On Nov. 15, the company’s 85 or so employees were told they were shutting down temporarily, in order to restructure and re-finance.
Does this sound familiar to any former Thunder?Bay Fine Papers employees out there?

Then, on Monday, company CEO Reggie Nukovic told local media he needs another $2 million from the government in order to keep going.

The government deserves a thorough explanation where the first $5.85 million went, not to mention why Global Sticks officials couldn’t be bothered to secure a consistent supply of birch wood before spending taxpayer dollars on a folly.

Yes, jobs are important, but without full transparency on this one, it’s time for the province to walk away, cut its losses, and remember a valuable lesson learned the next time someone’s hands are out looking for cash.