‘The time has come for the blaming to end, and a plan be put into motion. Let’s get the right people at the table, and together as a province turn this around’, Trevor Bolin

In a recent missive to NDP Premier two days ago, BC Conservative Party leader Trevor Bolin stated what seems to be obvious to all but the sitting NDP MLA’s, and Premier John Horgan who seem to have missed the message from all British Columbians alike.

“We are currently witnessing the devastating effects of the downturn in our forest industry across the entire province”. 

“Families are losing jobs, communities are losing industry and taxes, and British Columbia is losing one of its oldest tax bases”, he stated.

When I asked about other impacts on communities such as the inevitable marital problems that occur under financial stressors, and problems with families having enough to eat, he was open in his concerns.

“I have seen first hand how the affects this dramatic downturn are impacting and affecting families”, Bolin stated.

“People I’ve talked to across the province are telling me they are facing huge struggles just to meet their basic family needs, as they struggle to find new jobs; but the jobs aren’t out there”, the Conservative leader continued.

“It’s becoming more than just a financial hardship however.  When one of BC’s economy driver takes a hit, and men and women lose their jobs, I am hearing from professionals about the grief, guilt and shame being felt by some of these people”.

“This is having a drastic affect on British Columbians -- not only directly employed in the forest industry -- but also those whose employment comes from thousands of direct and indirect spin-off jobs”.

In the letter from the BC Conservatives to John Horgan and the BC NDP government, it was pointed out that the ongoing blame game isn’t helping British Columbian families, and communities through-out the province.

In a research paper entitled, “British Columbia's Private Sector in Recession, 1981-86: Employment Flexibility without Trade Diversification?”, which was written by Trevor Barnes and Roger Hayter, they stated:

“In British Columbia, as in the rest of Canada and most other advanced economies, the recession of the early 1980s constituted the most significant economic downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s ... in fact, even within the Canadian context the recession in British Columbia was particularly severe”.

While we are definitely not facing a depression in BC, the economic complexities faced by the forest industry are indeed causing a financial downturn for forestry workers ... and it is particularly severe!

With that in mind the BC Conservative leader is calling on the Liberals Andrew Wilkinson, and Premier Horgan, to create a committee to find a solution to the problems being faced.

“I humbly ask for this committee to immediately be established, and include the Forests Minister Doug Donaldson, the BC Council of Forest Industries, Mayors of affected communities, and the Presidents of companies of mills that have announced indefinite curtailments”, stated Bolin, who then continued.

“I firmly believe the solution to this devastating downtown can be found through communications and working together as one.  When one community supports another across this province, we remember what makes British Columbia unique:  together we strand as a province, separated we fail.”

The downturn of any industry in BC always has devastating affects, which is why I personally believe that committee should also include workers in the forestry industry.  They work first hand in it, and therefore should have insights into how improvements can be made to make it more viable.

On a note of interest, my nephew, CRD Director Steve Forseth, was in touch with Conservative leader Bolin regarding the idea of a forestry committee.  Speaking with me late yesterday afternoon, Steve mentioned that:

“I reached out to Trevor Bolin to remind him that responsible resource development primarily occurs in BC’s 155 Electoral Areas, and the area director for these areas should be contacted first in regards to potential problems or concerns  occurring in their area’s – this in addition to consulting with nearby mayors and First Nations”.

Continuing, he went on to say, “Too often, regardless of political stripe, this does not happen and frustrates representatives for local government in these areas. Mr. Bolin agreed that area directors need to be part of the equation and not simply a stakeholder”.

And on that note, it seems Bolin’s plan makes sense; “Let’s work together to get our products to market, grow our industries, and work with our communities and corporate partners to maximize job creation, while protecting and enhancing our working-class citizens”.

NOTE ... Steve Forseth had a post with regards to his discussion with BC Conservative leader Trevor Bolin -- it can be found HERE