New Democrats Ponder Calling for 'Royal Commission' on Forestry

Friday, January 27, 2006 01:48 PM

Responding to a question from the audience during today's Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Carole James raised the possibility of calling for a Royal Commission into Forestry in the province.

James says whether it's a commission or another vehicle, her party hasn't yet decided yet, but she says something needs to be done to address the myriad of challenges facing the industry.

The NDP Leader says it's time for the Liberal Government to put forward a comprehensive plan for all of B.C., rather than offering up stop-gap measures to deal with a crisis in one area.

James says issues like the mountain pine beetle, supply to secondary markets and worker safety must all be looked at together to plot a viable course for the future.
Previous Story - Next Story

Email |

Print |

Facebook |

Twitter |

Digg |

Del.icio.us

Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 01:48 PM in News by 250 News

Return to Home

Comments

Posted by: diplomat on January 27 2006 3:33 PM

Nice that the NDP is showing some concern now, better late than never, I presume!

After all, it was the NDP that let the pine beetle escape from the Provincial Park in the first place by a stubborn refusal to allow logging in the park when all the experts were saying that an epidemic would result if no immediate action was taken!

Now the party is busy stirring the you-know-what!

No "mea culpas" of course! How easy it is to rely on public amnesia!

Go figure!

Posted by: owl on January 27 2006 11:51 PM

There has been a task force on the safety part of the three parter outlined above.

It is time to get on with the recommendations of that one properly rather than one part of the industry continuing to point fingers at other parts. It is important that something be done, not another study. If the NDP wants to get into the act, they need to push the Minister responsible and hold him accountable to ensuring that there is enforcement in the field by all parties who have jurisdiction - Forestry, Transportation, ICBC, Police, WCB.

We have long ago passed the time when engineering and education should have been able to take care of the problem to a reasonable extent.

Maybe further down the road the industry will be able to police itself. At the moment, that simply will not work.