Mackenzie, B.C.- It was a symbol of a promise, a pin from the District of Mackenzie which Minister of Forests and Range Pat Bell has worn on his left lapel, close to his heart for more than two years.

 

More than two years ago, he had made a promise to Mackenzie Mayor Stephanie Killam that he would not take that pin off until her community was back on its feet.   Having suffered shut down after shut down, Mackenzie had become the symbol of the woes of the forest industry.

 

It has been a long climb, but Mackenzie has struggled back, “This is the Spirit of British Columbia” says Premier Gordon Campbell, “This is a no quit, never say die community, they were faced with huge economic challenges, they stuck with their plan.”

 

Over the past two years, Mackenzie has battled to have an upgrade to the road   which links it with Ft. St. James. That road will not only improve transportation of fibre between mills, but is meant to be a positive tourism link as well.

 

There have been new agreements which saw Canfor reopen its sawmill, and Conifex purchase the Abitibi mill. Sinar Mas subsidiary Paper Excellence purchased the former Pope and Talbot pulp mill,   and the Mount Milligan Mine is moving forward.

 

At the official opening of the Paper Excellence Mill this week, Minister of Forests and Range Pat Bell felt the time was right, the pin could be removed.  Bell didn’t return the pin the Mayor Stephanie Killam, instead, he passed it over to Community, Energy and Pulp Workers union leader Carl Bernasky. “It was the bond of the challenge we faced that brought us together” said Bell “Carl, some of those late night phone calls, and some of those reminders of the promise  I made to you and the community kept me moving forward and helped us get to where we are today.”

 

As he passed the pin to Bernasky, Bell commented, “ I know that you will never let me forget the importance of Mackenzie, but it is a small symbol of our friendship and  that together we made this happen.”