Macdonald wants action on ATV's

Two years is too long to wait for licensing and registration legislation, MLA says

By CAROLYN GRANT, Kimberley Daily Bulletin

One of the things Columbia River - Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald found most valuable about the NDP Convention held this past weekend was the opportunity to attend a Rural Workshop.

Over one hundred and twenty delegates from across the province participatd in the discussion.

"The convention itself was excellent, but the rural workshop was of particular interest to me," Macdonald said. "The delegates got together and did work on the development of a rural agenda. We want to try to reinvent the social contract that used to exist in rural areas.

The NDP is the party that actually cares about rural areas. We belive that the wealth of our province comes from rural areas and that services in rural areas must be maintained.

But Gordon Campbell doesn't believe in the value of rural life and his agenda threatens the health of small communities across British Columbia."

A small case in point, he says, is the lack of action on ATV legislation.

"A group of stakeholders - a coalition of snowmobilers, ATVers and cattlemen - put together a list of recommendations two years ago and we are still waiting for legislation. Let's get on with it. Let's see some legislation on licensing and registration of ATVs. It just seems like rural issues get put at the bottom of the list.

"All rural MLAs are hearing the same thing on this issue," Macdonald said. "Numerous groups have stated categorically that legislation is required."

There is no indication that the legislation will come this week and the session is almost over, Macdonald said.

"It's one of those issues that rural MLAs think is important and urban MLAs don't."