Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

May 12th, 2008

BC Liberals have pushed the forest industry to complete collapse: Macdonald

In Question Period today, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald demanded answers from the Forest Minister for his lack of action on the forestry crisis.

“The BC Liberals have pushed the forest industry to complete collapse,” declared Macdonald in the House.  “There are over 46 major wood-processing facilities that have been closed.  There are over 20,000 forest workers that have lost their jobs under this government’s watch, 13,000 with this minister alone this year.”

Macdonald raised the case of Coe Newness in Salmon Arm, a major manufacturer of high-tech sawmilling equipment and Salmon Arm’s largest private employer, which has laid off more than 100 workers.

“It’s not only loggers or millworkers who are losing their jobs.  The forestry crisis is also hitting the province’s high-tech sector.  Coe Newnes in Salmon Arm is also in trouble.  They’re going down with 110 jobs lost and 220 more jobs at risk.

“Will the Minister admit today that BC Liberal forest policies have crushed BC’s most important industry?” questioned Macdonald.

Opposition Forestry critic Bob Simpson also reminded the House of other job losses: 257 jobs in Campbell River and more than 200 jobs in Kamloops, as an example.

“These are permanent job losses. They are not temporary layoffs,” said Simpson in the House.  “These workers are losing their ability to pay their mortgages and to support their families.”

Simpson asked the Minister why he continues to do nothing to keep forestry jobs in British Columbia or to support workers who are now unemployed.

“Would the Minister of Forests please explain why the BC Liberals are refusing to put provincial money into a true stability program for forest workers and forest-dependent communities?”