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André Arpin, the Green Party Candidate in Madawaska-Restigouche, says that people in this area have to take control of their own destiny and stop relying on large companies that are based elsewhere. He says that those firms are interested in our goods, but not in what’s good for us.

"We have to take charge of our own economy," he said. "We've always depended on others to feed us with jobs, but that isn't going to work any more."

Arpin took the forest industry as an example, pointing out that it is and always has been the mainstay of the economy of northern New Brunswick. He said that the large corporations are interested in creating tree plantations with a form of monoculture, growing a single species of trees. This, he said, also creates a mono-economy and places us in danger.

He said that with climate change upon us, relying mainly on one species of tree, and that a species that does not adapt to a warming climate very well, creates a situation in which our economy could be wiped out.

He said that the Green Party wants to see diversity maintained in the forest. Having many species of trees can also create diversity in industry, with many smaller companies producing a variety of goods.

Arpin said that these companies engage in too much clear-cutting and that this was responsible for flash floods that forced the angling lodges on the Restigouche to close for a week at the beginning of August. "If you're counting on a $10 million angling industry, and $10 million is very important in this area, and you're losing a week during the prime time in the summer, you're losing a lot," he said.

Arpin went on to say that the way the forests are being handled affects the fishing on the river, and that fish don't reproduce the way they should. "You can't say the fishing on the Restigouche is good any more. We're always at the edge between being alright and declining.

Arpin also suggested making moves to encourage agriculture in the area. He said that we are now dependent on food grown in third world countries, but that there is danger in this. Among other things, if there is an economic crisis, one of those countries could decided to switch to another product or to sell its produce somewhere else. This could create food shortages here in Canada.

He said that in to be independent, an area has to be able to feed itself. As well, there area opportunities for "value-added" transformation of food products. Surpluses can be sold to other areas.

He said that farming will allow people to be their own bosses in the communities they call home.

Arpin said that trees are not being allowed to grow to the point where they can be effective carbon sinks. He said that the larger a tree is, the more carbon dioxide it will absorb and this provides a partial shield against global warming. But trees are being cut when only about six inches in diameter, rather than waiting until they are over eight.

He said that it will be difficult to have build a tourism industry if climate change means cooler, wetter summers in this area. He said that longer winters like the one just past will be good for winter tourism, but providing a good experience in summer is important as well.