Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

February 19th, 2009

Forest minister continues to be a spectator,
refusing to assist logging and trucking contractors during this time of crisis

As bankruptcies in the logging and trucking industry mount, the Minister of Forest continues to sit on his hands, says Norm Macdonald, MLA for Columbia River – Revelstoke and Chair of the Opposition Rural Caucus.

“Instead of taking real action to assist forestry contractors, and helping to protect the economies of rural communities, this government is doing nothing,” said Macdonald. 

The Opposition has put forward a clear plan to minimize the damage and stabilize this sector of the forest economy.

1. Immediately undertake reform of the tenure system

Reform would open up log markets in all regions of the province so more manufacturers can access logs and put the logging contractors back to work

2. Immediately make changes to the stumpage and appraisal systems

            Changes would allow access to more of our forest resources and waste materials so a more diverse forest economy could be created giving more opportunities for a broader range of companies

3. Work with logging associations to find ways to provide credit assistance

            Access to credit assistance for logging contractors could prevent struggling businesses from being forced into bankruptcy and allow them to recapitalize their businesses to be more innovative and function within a new forest economy

4. Immediately introduce legislation to protect contractor’s rights

            Legislation to protect contractor’s rights to payment by companies who declare bankruptcy and to ensure their logging rights are maintained during tenure transfer will help existing contractors weather this crisis in forestry

5. Cancel all future increases to the Liberal fuel tax

            The current cost of the fuel tax is considered to be prohibitive by contractors and future increases in this tax will put further undue cost pressures on an already struggling industry

The Opposition also has a 5-point plan on forestry which can be found at www.ourforests.ca.

“The economic benefit generated in a rural community by forest contractors is significant, and the loss of these contractors will have a very negative impact on our local economies,” continued Macdonald.  “The fact that the Campbell government continues to do nothing just shows how little this government cares about rural British Columbians.”