Premier Campbell's record on forestry

Feb 2009

Over the last two years, over 20,000 jobs have been lost in British Columbia’s forest industry, and last week, nearly every mill in BC was either shut down or operating on reduced shifts. This collapse of the forest industry has been unprecedented, and its implications on our economy are massive.

It is not only mill workers who are impacted, but also contractors, foresters, retailers and many others. The collapse of the forestry industry in British Columbia will affect us all.

Forestry is one of our most vital industries. That is something that we as rural people understand. But unfortunately, forestry is something that Premier Campbell cares very little about. When money is needed to assist laid-off forest workers, Premier Campbell is more concerned about putting $365 million towards a new retractable roof on BC Place.

The list of Premier Campbell’s failures on the forestry file is a long one.

The BC Liberals began their attack on forestry-dependent communities by removing the requirement for local logs to be milled in local mills. This left small local mills vulnerable to closure as their logs were trucked out of town to larger mills.

The BC Liberals reduced safety standards in the woods with predictable results. The Auditor General in 2008 was clear that this government has failed in its duty to protect forest workers.

BC Liberal government policies drove out more than sixty value-added companies over the last two years resulting in more job losses.

The BC Liberals have failed to invest in forest health. The government does not even have accurate inventory data on our forests and at a time when we need more than ever to be promoting forest health, this government is spending less than ever before.

A viable and sustainable forest industry is key to the survival of rural communities. It is clear from this government’s total neglect of this industry that the BC Liberals have no interest in protecting our rural way of life. In my experience, rural residents do not expect any special treatment from Victoria and the Lower Mainland, but they do expect to receive their fair share.

Resource communities are the economic engine of this province, and they put enormous wealth into provincial coffers. That is something that Premier Campbell would do well to remember the next time he writes a cheque for another one of his pet projects.