Rep. Pettalia offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 445.  

            A resolution to urge the Office of the United States Trade Representative to ensure that no World Trade Organization rules are being violated in regards to government funding of McInnis Cement and the Port-Daniel-Gascons cement plant in Québec, Canada.

            Whereas, The cement industry is a major employer and economic supporter in Northeast Michigan as well as the entire state; and

            Whereas, McInnis Cement is partially owned by the Québec government and has received government assistance for the construction of the Port-Daniel-Gascons cement plant in Québec, Canada. To wit, the Québec government has authorized a C$250 million guaranteed loan to McInnis Cement and an additional C$100 million equity investment in the company from Investissement Québec, in addition to other support from public sources, including another C$100 million equity investment from the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec; and

            Whereas, The cement market in Québec is already oversaturated and the stated purpose of the Port-Daniel-Gascons cement plant is not to supply Canadian projects but to ship the vast majority of its production into the United States; and

            Whereas, Michigan’s private cement industry has struggled through the recent economic downturn and should not have to compete with a taxpayer-funded operation based on foreign soil. The new cement plant will take market share and potential jobs from hardworking Michigan residents; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Office of the United States Trade Representative to ensure that no World Trade Organization rules are being violated in regards to government funding of McInnis Cement and the Port-Daniel-Gascons cement plant in Québec, Canada; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.