Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

July 17, 2008

Auditor General report indicates BC Liberals payoff donors through TFL sales; Macdonald calls on Forest Minister to protect TFL 23

In a scathing report released yesterday, Auditor General John Doyle confirms that the BC Liberal government put the interests of its corporate donors ahead of the public interest in allowing the sell-off of Vancouver Island lands within tree farm licences (TFL).  TFL 23 in the Kootenays is also slated for sale, despite the fact that affected communities have spoken out strongly against the sale.

“The Auditor General has blasted the government in the clearest possible way,” declared Norm Macdonald, the MLA for Columbia River – Revelstoke.  “The Auditor General pointed out the lack of consultation, the ignoring of the public interest and the disturbing coincidences involving donations to the BC Liberals by the forest companies that gained from the Minister’s decision.”

Spikes in stock activity just before the deal to sell off the land in question also raised disturbing questions.

“These land sales are clearly pay offs to Liberal donors, and a similar pay off is about to occur in this area with TFL 23.”

TFL 23 has been recognized by the community of Revelstoke as being important to supporting the survival of the forest industry in the area and to have this piece sold for real estate development puts the communities in the area at risk.

“I was clear with the Campbell government during Question Period in May that the community of Revelstoke opposes any move that would allow the sale of TFL 23. The City opposes the sale, the Regional Director opposes the sale, and the Community Forest Corporation opposes the sale. Downie Street mill opposes the sale as do a number of other community groups. I think a sale of these lands is a betrayal of the public interest.

”In rural British Columbia we believe in forestry and demand a government that will put the public interest before BC Liberal insiders and the interests of Liberal corporate donors.”