Job cuts prove BC Liberals have given up on forestry
and protecting our public lands

VICTORIA – The loss of 204 Ministry of Forest staff in the latest round of job cuts proves that the Campbell government has given up on forestry, says Norm Macdonald, MLA for Columbia River – Revelstoke and Critic for Forestry.

“With 30,000 jobs lost in forestry since the BC Liberals took over and the closure of 71 mills, it is clear that the BC Liberals have failed comprehensively in their approach to forestry,” said Macdonald.  “Now with the downgrading of the Forest Service, it appears they have given up completely.”

Forest Minister Pat Bell claims that these cuts are necessary because harvest levels are down, but this attitude shows a serious lack of understanding of the scope of responsibilities that lie within the ministry.  The Forest Service’s mission is to protect, manage and conserve forested land.

Over 90% of British Columbia is Crown land, owned by the people of British Columbia, and it is the responsibility of the Forest Service to act as stewards for this land, regardless of the level of harvest.

“The health of our forests has long-term consequences not only for the forest industry but for our overall environmental health, and having professionals who are tasked with the protection of the forest ecosystem is crucial.

“There are massive forest health issues that we need to understand and treat, and cutting staff at this time is incredibly short-sighted.  Instead of giving up, we need to remember the Forest Service’s historical role in protecting and conserving our public lands.”