Jordan Swerid
March 19, 2010
A major debate that has been going on for over a decade in Maine includes the cross-border tensions between Canadian and Maine logging. Loggers from Maine feel that Canadians are stealing jobs away from them and that it is unfair to the Maine loggers to be unemployed and out of jobs. On the other hand, Canadians are just trying to make an honest living. The debate is of course about which side of the border is actually correct or if there is a sufficient answer to the problem.
In 1998, the fire of the debate lit back up again since it was previously heavily debated in 1974. When one resident from Maine was asked about his goal coming into the debate, he said, “We want Canadians out of the northern Maine woods (2).” One unidentified Canadian said outright, “This is not right, (2)” while traveling near the border on October 20, 1998. This resulted in a blockade at the border by American loggers. However, this was not the first time it was attempted. “We tried this in 1974 and got very little. You’re wasting your time,” said American trucker Nelson Dubay, waving his arms for effect while talking to other Americans at the blockade (2). Since then, both sides have just gotten angrier.
On August 6, 2009, an article written by Susan Sharon suggested the same type of information just eleven years later. A study done by the Aroostook County showed that there are approximately 100 Maine loggers that are unemployed. There is a Federal law that was made to stop this from happening but Maine loggers believe that it is not being forced well enough. “I’ve lost two jobs because of the bonded labor in the past year here,” says Steve Hafford (4). “By law, the hiring of foreign workers cannot adversely affect their U.S. counterparts. But Hafford says that’s what exactly is taking place (4).” Basically, there is not enough room for both sides to be happy. Americans believe that by law, Canadians should go home because it legally says that they can not displace U.S. workers. Steve Hafford is extra bitter about the situation because he has over one million dollars of heavy logging equipment sitting in his yard right now as we speak. After applying for sixteen different jobs in the area, only four gave him a call back saying they had no work and the other twelve never responded back. Everything is going against the logging market right now. The paper industry is hurting, there are many layoffs with closures of mills, the market is depressed, and terrible weather conditions have all played a significant factor (4).
A couple of days ago, I set up an interview between Topsham, Maine native Wally Hovey and business owner from Maine (previously from Canada), Terry Tomm. Although neither are directly in the logging business, their opinions on Canadian workers in Maine are still significant. When Mr. Hovey was asked about how he felt about Canadian’s working across the border, he replied by saying, “I don’t mind Canadian’s working as long as they have the credentials. People should not be kept out of jobs because of a border line or something silly like that. The best workers should be hired for jobs.” Mr. Tomm’s situation is quite interesting and caused him to have a different opinion on the subject. “I came to Maine from Manitoba, Canada in order to take over a business. That business is running successfully and producing jobs for other Mainers. If I had not taken over the business, it would have dissolved and many people would be out of jobs. I do have a similar opinion to Mr. Hovey’s in which I also believe that people with the right credentials should be the ones working.” I believe the opinions of these two people show how many other business people feel about the situation. The only problem is that it is nearly impossible for everyone to agree on something and stick with it.
As for now, Mainers will continue applying for jobs and hoping things will turn around for them. The Canadians will also do what they are doing to earn an honest living. In conclusion, laws and rules must be made and/or enforced to stop this ongoing debate and put it in the past.
Websites Used:
1.http://www.maine.gov/portal/search?q=cache:WICr5huI83cJ:www.maine.gov/legis/house/records/121hrec/20030523.doc+Canadian+Loggers&access=p&output=xml_no_dtd&ie=UTF-8&client=test_collection&proxystylesheet=test_collection&oe=UTF-8
2. http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/137426.html
3. (http://www.forestecologynetwork.org/bdn1020.htm)
4.(http://www.mpbn.net/Home/tabid/36/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3478/ItemId/8540/Default.aspx)
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