Nip Impressions logo
Mon, Mar 18, 2024 23:23
Visitor
Home
Click here for Pulp & Paper Radio International
Subscription Central
Must reads for pulp and paper industry professionals
Search
My Profile
Login
Logout
Management Side
Resolute CEO awarded medal for free enterprise following Greenpeace hurdle

MONTREAL (From the Montreal Economic Institute) -- On May 11, the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) presented the John Dobson Medal for Free Enterprise to Mr. Richard Garneau, president and chief executive officer of Resolute Forest Products.

"We award this medal to individuals who defend free enterprise, among other things by standing up to lobby groups that attempt to undermine economic end entrepreneurial freedom. And on this count, this year's recipient is quite a fighter!" says Michel Kelly-Gagnon, president and chief executive officer of the MEI.

When Greenpeace began targeting his company and his workers by claiming they "destroyed forests" and by producing multiple disinformation campaigns aimed at making them lose important customers, Richard Garneau decided to stand up to them by adopting an attitude of, in his own words, moral leadership. "If you believe you're on firm ground, you stand firm," points out Mr. Garneau.

Thus, contrary to many companies in similar situations, Resolute decided to meet Greenpeace's repeated attacks head-on. And in the end, forced to justify its allegations in a court of law, the activist group finally recognized that its accusations against Resolute were "heated rhetoric" and consisted of "non-verifiable statements of subjective opinion," and should be understood as "figurative rather than literal" and not expose them to any legal responsibility. They also recognized that Resolute had caused "no loss of forest cover." Serious admissions, which unfortunately come only after years of irresponsible attacks.

"For his courage, and for his commitment to his shareholders, to his employees, and to the rural families and communities for whom the responsible harvesting of the forest is a way of life, Richard Garneau embodies the type of person John Dobson would have been proud to see rewarded with a medal bearing his name. Our society needs more businesspeople willing to stand up to defend the principles and benefits of the free market," concludes Michel Kelly-Gagnon.


Printer-friendly format

 





Powered by Bondware
News Publishing Software

The browser you are using is outdated!

You may not be getting all you can out of your browsing experience
and may be open to security risks!

Consider upgrading to the latest version of your browser or choose on below: