As public opinion begins to turn against the softwood lumber agreement, the B.C. Liberal government is following along, making critical noises to deflect blame away from themselves.

However, for two months, Forests Minister Rich Coleman has bragged about taking the lead on negotiations with the U.S. on the softwood lumber file.

VICTORIA — In the wake of a coroner's report into a fatal logging crash that took over two and a half years to complete, NDP Labour critic Chuck Puchmayr claims that the B.C. Liberals continue to drag their feet in dealing with the issue of forest worker safety.

VICTORIA – Despite numerous warnings, the Campbell Liberals, and specifically Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman, have ignored the looming threat and inevitability of catastrophic wildfires in BC, NDP Forests and Range Critic Bob Simpson said today.

VICTORIA—Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman must show real leadership in any upcoming softwood negotiations and represent the entire range of issues that are of concern to B.C.’s forest industry, NDP Forests critic Bob Simpson said today.

VICTORIA – New Democrat Forests and Range Critic Bob Simpson slammed Minister Rich Coleman today for suggesting that communities have no right to see the contents of the BC Liberal government’s response to the Federal government on the proposed softwood lumber agreement.

VICTORIA — New Democrat Forests and Range Opposition Critic Bob Simpson has accepted an invitation from the Alberta government to fly over parts of both Alberta and British Columbia as part of the Alberta government's research prior to a Mountain Pine Beetle Summit in Calgary on May 27^th. 

The New Democrat Opposition obtained a draft of the softwood lumber agreement negotiated between the United States and Canada.

NDP Forests and Range critic Bob Simpson has some serious concerns about the deal. The draft agreement, as of 10:10 a.m. May 16, is attached as a backgrounder. 

VICTORIA — The New Democrat Interior Rural Caucus is calling a report prepared for the Fraser Health Authority, on the state of emergency treatment at Royal Columbia Hospital in New Westminster, vindication of the rural MLAs message all along: The health care system is failing British Columbians.

VICTORIA—The New Democrat Opposition has obtained a leaked document from WorkSafeBC that reveals the crown corporation is reaping an enormous surplus, while workers’ benefits are being curtailed.

"WorkSafeBC is running a huge operational surplus of more than $300 million,” said Chuck Puchmayr, the Opposition Critic for Labour. “All the while, workers looking to get back on their feet are receiving less and less support.”

VICTORIA — Bob Simpson, Cariboo North MLA, has put his support behind a Private Member's Bill that would see the government ban the sale of tobacco in pharmacies.

"This is a positive initiative and an important step for the province to take," said Simpson. "Restricting where youth can buy cigarettes will go a long way to tackling youth smoking, an area where our work will never be done."