Council Says Yes to Forum, Maybe to Money

By 250 News

The Committee planning a conference to look at what communities can do in the wake of the pine beetle has been given         guarded support from Prince George City Council, and while it has officially endorsed the conference,  the funding will be a matter to be covered by Leisure services.

In his presentation to Council, forum organizer Peter Ewart says the two day session is designed to spark discussion and put forth a plan for action.  Topics to be covered will start at the impact of the beetle, on jobs and the future of the large mills.  Forest practices, getting access to timber, getting more value out of the wood, training and diversification are all on ther list of topics to be discussed.  The conference will carry through to development of proposals and an action plan to renew the North.

Ewart says the Committee has already raised over 17 thousand dollars to put towards the conference.

"Whether we are from a large town or a small community, we are all in this together.  We are confident we are going to overcome this challenge presented by the mountain pine beetle, but we can't do it alone" Ewart told Council. He says the idea is to come up with "Some made in the North solutions."

He says the organizing committee is made up of people from over 6 different communities in the North representing all walks of life.

The event is set for the 5th and 6th of November, will be free to all who would like to attend.  The two day conference will  be held at the College of New Caledonia.

Ewart says "Some people say the forest industry is a sunset industry and they say the same about our communities. They are wrong.  Forestry is a sunrise industry as it is a renewable resource, and our communities are sunrise communities as they have survived and  diversified following many challenges."

The call for funding comes as the Federal Governent announced it will cut back the mountain pine beetle funding for the year by 11 million dollars because it had not been used.

Councilor Munoz says "You can never have enough opportunity to have the communities engaged or enough opportunity for  dialogue and participation on a matter that so dramatically impacts each and every one of us in the northern region."

Councilor Bassermann worries the conference suggests nothing is being done, but he points out there has been  a great deal of work being done by various  organizations including Initiatives Prince George, and the Regional District of Fraser Fort-George. "I don't want people to think that nothing is being done."

Mayor Kinsley says he likes the notion of the event, but says something seems to have been lost, as the Omineca Beetle Action Committee has had community consultation, one as recently as a couple of weeks ago. He worries it could be a political "slug-fest" because some of the topics cover government policy "I don't think the provincial government will show up".  

Ewart says the Omineca Beetle Action Committee has been asked to take part, but as yet, that committee has not responded.  "The reason why we are including items of government policy about forest tenure and licensing is because that is what people are talking about in the coffee shops across the north."

The Mayor wrapped up his comments with "If you go in with a positive attitude, you can produce positive results."

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