Public Relations Exercise Can’t Make Up For B.C. Liberals’ Appalling Record on Reforestation: New Democrats
VICTORIA – The introduction of a no-net-deforestation act is the latest example of the B.C. Liberals choosing empty public relations exercises over effective forest policy, say the New Democrats.
Norm Macdonald
Opposition forests critic Norm Macdonald says the act smacks of hypocrisy given that the B.C. Liberals have ignored the plight of forest health in the province for nine years.
“Silviculture contractors have estimated that there will be 170 million fewer seedlings planted in this province in comparison to peak years,” said Macdonald, the MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke. “This is happening at a time when the forests are still being ravaged by the mountain pine beetle and other pests and when we are expecting more and bigger fire seasons.
“It’s the height of hypocrisy for the B.C. Liberals to claim to be the champion of reforestation in the face of their own appalling record.”
Underlying the problem, Macdonald said, is the government has no idea what’s actually happening on the landbase. Announced cuts to the Ministry of Forests this spring are expected to further erode the government’s ability to maintain forest health.
“There are at least 13 million hectares of mountain pine beetle-impacted lands that have not been sufficiently restocked,” said Macdonald. “After sitting on their hands for nine years, the B.C. Liberals can’t really expect British Columbians to fall for this empty public relations exercise, especially since we will be waiting until 2015 for any results.”
New Democrat Leader Carole James has put forward a five-point plan to renew and modernize the forest industry. The plan includes: developing a green forest plan, developing an innovative and diverse industry, community and worker stabilization funding, and a permanent commission on forestry and tenure reform.
