MILOBAR: My colleague had every right to demand answers — especially considering we haven’t seen or heard anything since he made that promise nearly two years ago
A guest
commentary from Kamloops North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar
~~ used
with permission
The NDP governments neglect of the Interior
forest industry hit a new low last week, when Premier John Horgan had the
audacity to accuse Fraser-Nicola BC Liberal MLA Jackie Tegart of ‘whining’ when
she asked tough questions about his lack of action on the softwood lumber file.
That kind of remark is appalling. My
colleague had every right to demand answers from the man who vowed he would be
directly involved in negotiations — especially considering we haven’t seen or
heard anything since he made that promise nearly two years ago.
His comment also dismisses her constituents’
legitimate concerns for their livelihoods. It was a heartless thing to say,
after MLA Tegart noted constituents were coming to her office in tears because
of rolling layoffs at the local mill.
Unfortunately, the premier didn’t stop at
just one questionable remark in last Thursday’s question period. He also did a
complete ‘180’ from his previous position and declared it’s not his job to
stand up for the province in the softwood lumber negotiations, even though he
regularly meets with Washington State Governor Jay Inslee. The pair held a
joint news conference just weeks ago and never even raised the topic.
Horgan then topped himself again in Question
Period this past Monday, when in response to another question on softwood from
MLA Tegart, he accused the Opposition of suddenly trying to ‘fabricate’ an
issue. Is he actually questioning the very valid and real concerns of forestry
workers?
January 30th, 2019
Canfor Corporation (TSX:CFP) announced today it will be temporarily curtailing operations at three British Columbia mills due to log supply constraints, log costs and current market conditions.
Canfor Corporation (TSX:CFP) announced today it will be temporarily curtailing operations at three British Columbia mills due to log supply constraints, log costs and current market conditions.
Canfor’s sawmill in Vavenby will be
curtailed for six weeks from February 11 to March 22, 2019. In addition,
Canfor’s sawmills in Houston and Mackenzie will be curtailed for one week each
in Q1.
We need real leadership to get results for
our forest industry — especially in the Interior, which is still suffering from
the impacts of wildfires and reduced available timber, on top of the lack of a
softwood agreement. Sadly, our premier has left the softwood file to other
provincial leaders to figure out.
Recently, the premier of New Brunswick headed
a joint mission of premiers to Washington, to meet with all state governors
with a goal to end punishing tariffs on Canadian imports including softwood
lumber. But John Horgan wasn’t there,
despite the fact B.C. is responsible for 50 per cent of all softwood lumber
exports to the United States.
He has, however, cut the governor of
Washington a $600,000 cheque to study a high-speed rail link between Seattle
and Vancouver — even though Canadians would be precluded by U.S. law from
working on the project in any way.
He has also stood shoulder-to-shoulder with
Inslee to oppose the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
The difficulties in the forestry industry
disproportionately impact the Interior industry and despite this fact, to date
the province has put a much greater focus on the coastal industry. As we speak,
hundreds of workers in Interior mills are facing production curtailments,
shutdowns and reduced hours without much concern from the NDP.
It’s time for this Premier and government to
take real action to defend the jobs and livelihoods of Interior workers—
instead of dismissing those concerns as ‘whining’ when they are raised in the
Legislature.
ABOUT PETER
MILOBAR:
Peter was elected MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson in May 2017.
Peter was elected MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson in May 2017.
He is the Official Opposition Critic for Environment and Climate
Change and is a Member of the Select Standing Committees on Crown Corporations
and Finance and Government Services.
Before
entering provincial politics, Peter was mayor of Kamloops for three terms,
after previously serving two as councillor. He served as chair of the Thompson
Regional Hospital District for five terms, and was a director for the
Thompson-Nicola Regional District since 2005.
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