Thoughts on BC Politics and More

Yesterday, Doug Donaldson, the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, released a statement regarding the transfer of a forest licence from Conifex to Fort St. James Forest Products.  In his statement Donaldson noted: “ On Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, I approved the transfer of a forest licence and associated road permits from Conifex Timber Inc. to Fort St. James Forest Products, a subsidiary of Hampton Lumber Mills. After a comprehensive review of this public asset, I determined that this transfer is in the public interest and will benefit British Columbians ”. Continuing, Donaldson went on to say: “ As a condition of the transfer, Hampton has committed to build a new mill in Fort St. James that will be operational within 36 months of closing the transaction with Conifex. It is my expectation that Hampton will continue to work closely with First Nations to develop business and capacity-building arrangements and ...

How bad are things in the forest industry? Well earlier this morning I posted a commentary entitled , ‘ 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 Now I find that even the United Way in BC, is calling on the government to assist communities being hit hard by mill shut-downs, closures, and shift reductions. On July 19 th , Executive Directors, CEO’s, and COO’s from over half a dozen United Way agencies ** , including the Board Chair for United Way in the Southern Interior, sent a letter to Premier John Horgan referencing the need for, “... s upportin g a social safety net for BC communities facing sawmill closures ... ”.     In it, they stated: We are writing to strongly encourage the province of BC and the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development to provide additional social and ...

MP Cathy McLeod & Conservative leader Andrew Scheer Kamloops, BC – Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops - Thompson - Cariboo, issued the following statement today: “ In recent weeks, the closures and reduction of sawmills have devastated communities across the interior of British Columbia ,” MP Cathy McLeod said. “ I wrote to the federal minister responsible for economic development the day  after learning that Canfor would be shutting the doors of its Vavenby mill, impacting 178 employees, their families, their kids’ schools, and their municipalities. The situation has deteriorated even more since, and there has been nothing but silence from the federal Minister .” “ To provide no acknowledgement or response reveals a complete indifference to the issue on the part of the Minister and Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government in Ottawa ,” MP McLeod said. “ It’s clear they are more worried about their electoral future than doing th...