For immediate release

November 23rd, 2007

COLEMAN REFUSES TO PROTECT FORESTRY: MACDONALD

The Opposition blasted the Campbell government throughout the week for the controversial giveaway of forest land, and the government’s ongoing neglect of forestry communities in the face of a massive downturn in the sector.

Opposition MLAs peppered the Forest Minister with questions in the Legislature, and Opposition Leader Carole James asked the Auditor General to expand his inquiry into the giveaway of Tree Farm License lands.

“The situation is out of control,” said Forestry Critic Bob Simpson. “The government is giving away the land base for forestry, and it’s turned a blind eye while mills shut down and workers get layoff notices around the province.”

In a letter sent today, James congratulated the Auditor General for deciding to review the release of forest land for TFLs on Vancouver Island, and urged him to broaden the scope of his review to include all TFL releases in British Columbia.

“The Province is shedding its responsibility to manage public resources in the public interest and ensure the Crown’s financial interest is protected,” James wrote.

“The forest industry is critically important to the communities in my constituency,” declared the MLA for Columbia River – Revelstoke Norm Macdonald.  “Yet this Forest Minister has done nothing to help.

“This Liberal government has broken the social contract; a contract that was developed to protect the viability of communities throughout the interior.”

“The Forest Minister shrugged his shoulders and allowed removal of lands from Tree Farm Licenses on Vancouver Island,” said Forestry Critic Bob Simpson. “He also seems prepared to make the same mistake in the Interior despite the fact that by his own admission releasing the private lands from the TFL there could seriously undermine the viability of the forest sector in the region. Forest workers and forest-dependent communities cannot afford to have this kind of laissez faire attitude from the Forest Minister at this critical time.”