Thoughts on BC Politics and More

IMAGE:  Government of BC The NDP government is failing to keep the interests of all British Columbians in mind when making decisions on public land. In what is part of a trend of short-sighted road closures and denying public access to public land, the NDP government is planning to eliminate public access to the Incomappleux Conservancy in the Kootenays. These decisions threaten public safety during emergencies and deprive communities of tourism and recreation opportunities. “The NDP government continues to make decisions about forest service roads and public lands in isolation, without considering the cumulative impacts on rural BC,” said Donegal Wilson, Shadow Minister for Water, Land, Fisheries, and Wildlife Management.  “These roads are far more than forestry infrastructure. They provide emergency access during wildfires, connect people to private property, and support hunting, fishing, camping, and outdoor recreation that rural economies depend on. Yet while communities a...

       BC Government photo More than 600 residents of Harrop and Glade, B.C. face the prospect of being cut off from essential services as a looming ferry strike threatens their livelihoods and well-being. Pete Davis, Conservative MLA for Kootenay Rockies is calling on the local NDP MLA for Kootenay Central and Minister of Rural Services, Brittny Anderson, to put rural communities first. “ This isn’t just about logistics; it’s about the people who depend on this ferry to access food, work, and critical services ,” Davis said. “ The residents of Harrop and Glade deserve leadership. Their local MLA and Minister must stand up for them and ensure their voices are heard .” Davis is urging the government to take swift action to bring both sides together and prioritize a resolution that avoids further disruption. “ It’s time for the government to lead, support rural communities, and secure a fair deal for everyone involved ,” Davis added. Harman Bhangu,...

RCMP photo -- illegal grow-op in the Pemberton area VANDERHOOF (December 9, 2019) ­– With the forestry crisis worsening, and John Horgan and the NDP still yet to introduce a comprehensive strategy to address the litany of layoffs and closures plaguing both the interior and coastal forestry sectors, attention is turning to a relief fund for illegal cannabis growers quietly announced by government last month.   The Cannabis Business Transition Initiative designates $675,000 dollars to help existing illegal cannabis growers in the Kootenays “overcome the barriers to operating in the legal economy” as they transition out of the black market. “ To think that John Horgan and the NDP have created a relief program for illegal cannabis growers at a time when the forestry industry is imploding and forestry workers throughout the province are struggling to survive, shows you the misguided priorities of this government ,” said Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Op...

On May 28, 2019, the provincial government announced a review of the Private Managed Forest Land Program. They have invited British Columbians to add your voice to the program review. The province is accepting public comments until July 22, 2019. Over the past few months there has been a flood of correspondence to my office. My constituents on the, residents on Southern Vancouver Island and in the Kootenays, are raising substantial concerns about the impact of logging practices on privately owned forest lands. The City of Nelson and the  Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments have recently added their voices asking the province to tighten restrictions of logging on private land. There are a range of issues that we need to address. These include water supply (watersheds and aquifers) and slope stability, to name a couple. There are others, and the province wants to hear from you! It's been intensely frustrating to feel powerless to deal...

Following the 2013 provincial general election, and Adrian Dix's flip-flop on Kinder Morgan (aka the Kinder Morgan Surprise), Tom Sigardson (the head of Unionized Trades in BC) stated the decision not to support the Kinder Morgan expansion was … “a disaster”.  He went further saying it was a key moment that changed who many of the 23,000 BC and Yukon Territories Building and Construction Trades Council members voted for. As the old saying goes Adrian Dix, and the NDP, managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.  Even Harry Lali, one of the longest serving NDP MLA’s was quoted saying : “ When the announcement about the Kinder Morgan pipeline was made, it basically decimated Interior and northern BC for us — rural BC basically .” Former BC NDP leader Adrian Dix So the KEY thing Adrian Dix is known for is … he blew the 2013 provincial general election with his Kinder Surprise. In the coming weeks though, I wonder how many...