McKee, Macdonald spar over Tembec

By CAROLYN GRANT

February 10, 2009

Kimberley Daily Bulletin

The Liberal and NDP candidates for the Columbia River – Revelstoke riding have found their first big issue to spar over; the Tembec closures and who is responsible, as well as best able to cope with the economic crisis.

Both Liberal candidate Mark McKee and NDP MLA Norm Macdonald put out press releases in response to the shutdowns at Tembec mills announced last week.

Macdonald directly blames the Liberal government for failing to respond when Tembec requested stumpage reform.

He says Tembec made a presentation to the finance committee in 2007 asking that the government review how stumpage is charged and requesting tenure reform, but instead of taking Tembec’s concerns seriously, the government chose not to act.

“Tembec was clear that changes were needed in forestry policy or mills would have to close,” said Macdonald.  “Now those closures have occurred, not just here in the Kootenays, but across British Columbia, and the Minister of Forest is still sitting on his hands.”

However, Liberal candidate McKee says that the Tembec announcement only underlines the need for a strong BC Liberal government capable of moving the economy forward through these tough times.

“Tembec’s decision to close the plants in Canal Flats, Elko and Skookumchuck reiterates just how important it is to keep proven leadership on the economy through these tough times,” he said.  “This is why the BC Liberals are fighting to not only to keep the provincial economy ticking and people at work, but also to oppose the NDP’s attempts to cancel the Softwood Lumber Agreement because that would cost our region even more jobs.”

“I would say that is a bizarre statement, given that under this government you have had a disastrous forestry policy,” Macdonald said.

He says that from weakened safety regulations that resulted in more people being hurt to getting rid of policy that tied local wood to mills and getting rid of the job protection commission to 20,000 jobs being lost and 50 mills shut down the Liberal government has failed in every way on the forestry portfolio.

“I can’t imagine anyone trying to defend that record,” Macdonald said. 

As for the comment on the NDP cancelling the Softwood Lumber Agreement, Macdonald suggests McKee speak to local people on the issue.  He says while the industry in some communities, like Revelstoke, found the softwood deal to be good for the, in other communities it did not.

“Tembec had issues with the Softwood agreement,” he said.  “So I don’t know why he would raise that issue here.  It’s a far from perfect deal.  And the other inaccuracy, and Mr. McKee knows his, is that it was Jack Layton during the federal election that made that statement about cancelling the Softwood Agreement.  Carole (NDP leader James) never said that.  She pointed out the weaknesses and offered a fundamental change to the tenure system as a way to deal with those weaknesses. What Carole was saying was far more nuanced and thoughtful than how the Liberal candidate understands it.  What he’s saying is straight out of the BC Liberal handbook.  He needs to talk to people in this riding.  Tembec’s position is public record and so is ours.”

Macdonald says that while at the current time the forest industry is in crisis, it is also a time of opportunity – and opportunity to change the way the government handles forestry, to find a better way.

McKee also sees opportunity, but it must be led by BC’s Liberals, he says.

“The BC Liberals have continually demonstrated economic leadership and are prepared to do what it takes to keep the provincial economy moving through the current global economic downturn,” said McKee.  “There are opportunities to find ways to turn slash piles into bio-fuels.  The key is, we still have opportunities.

“While the crucial American market has collapsed, marketing opportunities remain in China and Asian.  China is the same distance from BC as Philadelphia, which is not that far as global distances are measured.  BC spent $4 million on marketing in China last year and will spend the same amount, or more, this year.  Pursuing that market makes sense since the cornerstone of the BC forestry industry is dimensional lumber.

“The government’s plans for new measures to assist forestry workers and their communities will also help alleviate the stress British Columbians are feeling.  “I feel for the workers facing these layoffs, but I believe there are opportunities for the Columbia River – Revelstoke region as we move through the weeks and months ahead,” McKee said.  “Our party’s policies are motivated by real compassion for the people of our province and we will do what it takes to protect them against the global downturn.”

“In the short-term, we need action to help these forest workers and their communities survive this downturn,” said Macdonald.  “Changes to Employment Insurance benefits are needed; a 5-week extension simply isn’t enough.”

Macdonald is also calling for improvements to the Community Development Trust program which is supposed to provide tuition fee assistance, transition assistance for older workers and a job opportunities program.

“This program is supposed to be in place and functioning for these workers but unfortunately, many workers are finding that the system is actually not working the way it is supposed to. It looks like the Campbell government has mismanaged this file as well.

“The government has a responsibility to get these things right and I’m afraid when it comes to forestry and protecting forestry jobs that they have failed on every front.”