Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

November 6th, 2007

Forest industry must be strong, vibrant and sustainable

Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald made the following statement in the Legislature yesterday.  As the chair of the Opposition Rural Caucus, Macdonald was speaking to the importance of forestry to rural communities throughout British Columbia.

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Forestry has been a key part of the economy in British Columbia for a long time, and I think what all of us recognize is that it is the industry that has been the backbone of this province.

There is no question that forestry is an industry that faces incredible challenges.  It is an industry unlike many others in that it uses public land for the most part.  Because of that, it is an industry that for most of British Columbia’s history has been dependent upon public policy which, set in this Legislature, dictates whether it will be successful or not.

We need government to set public policy that is going to ensure that the forest industry is going to be successful, and that has not happened.  Since 2001 there have been over 40 major wood and paper manufacturing mills that have been closed in British Columbia.  Jobs have been lost that are important parts of our communities.  They are high-paying jobs, and they are part of a balanced economy for rural communities.

I think if you look back at what presentations were made to the Finance Committee you will remember industry leaders stating in a very public way what previously they would only have said in private: the industry in the interior is going to see unprecedented shutdowns.  It is at this point of crisis that the government needs to act with a tremendous amount of energy.  It is public policy that will make the difference.

But what you see in BC right now is the deindustrialization of the province.  Mills are shutting down, and many of those mills will shut down permanently.  When these mills close it cuts the heart out of these communities; it fundamentally changes these communities.

In a presentation to the Finance Committee, Tembec asked the following question:  Do we actually value the industry in the southern interior?  The Tembec spokesperson listed a whole series of companies that he says will go down, and the manufacturing capacity that has been in place for a long period of time will permanently leave communities that need those sorts of jobs.

This cannot happen.  What I know is that historically the government of British Columbia has always said: Yes, we value forestry.  We value it a great deal and will put the energy, the resources and the capacity of provincial government to make sure that the right outcome is found.

I can say that in my communities the people I represent will unequivocally say: Yes, we want forestry to be strong, vibrant and sustainable.