OTTAWA - Canada's largest forestry union is urging the opposition parties to vote against Tuesday's budget, unless it includes meaningful measures to address forest sector job losses.

"Forest communities need a lifeline, and if there is not one in this budget, the other political parties should defeat the government and form a coalition government," says CEP President Dave Coles.

"Many forest companies are on the financial edge. Mills are closing and jobs are being lost daily and there is little hope in sight. This budget must address that."

Dave Coles will be available on Tuesday, January 27, 2009, for reaction to the federal budget. He can be reached at (613) 299-5628.

CEP, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, represents 150,000 Canadian workers in several key parts of the economy, including more than 55,000 forest workers.