Prime Minister Paul Martin has promised to help workers who will soon lose their jobs at the Domtar plant in Cornwall. Martin was in the city on a campaign stop just a day after residents were told Domtar will close its plant there, eliminating more than 900 of Cornwall's best-paying jobs.

The gymnasium at St. Joseph's Secondary School in Cornwall quickly filled up with students, Thursday afternoon, as they got ready to question the prime minister about what he will do for the country if he's elected again.

They questioned Martin on a variety of issues, but one of the first questions came from a student who was concerned about Cornwall's economy.

"Mr. Prime Minister, the closure of Domtar means that the local economy may be sinking into a desperate state. What does the federal government plan on doing to help create more opportunities?"

Martin was quick to say he will help people who are unemployed get the skills they need to find other jobs.

"So it's going to come down to training. So, if somebody needs training for a new job, I guarantee to you between ourselves and the provincial government, that training will be furnished," Martin said.

Outside the school, the union representing the workers at Domtar held a small protest. Union representative Rob Huget says he also met with Martin Thursday morning.

He says Martin said he would work with the union to find solutions to help the pulp-and-paper industry.

"His promise to us was we would be involved in looking at addressing solutions, not only for Cornwall, but for the rest of the province, and we intend to hold him to his word," Huget says.