We will do what is needed so that the forest industry -- vital for so many decades to the well being of interior communities including Kamloops -- DOES NOT become a sunset industry

A story in the Kamloops Daily News (Forest issues demand urgent action- Liberal voice absent from forum at TRU) began by stating;

A three-pronged strategy for tackling a morass of problems confronting B.C. forest management drew enthusiastic applause at a political forum on Wednesday.

Cariboo North MLA Bob Simpson, a former NDP forest critic now sitting as an independent, said the next B.C. government should immediately strike a committee on forestry, restore the function of the province’s chief forester and consider holding a royal commission of inquiry. 

I attended the forum, which ran from 1 to 3pm, yesterday afternoon. Also present was our Shuswap BC Conservative Party candidate Tom Birch, Tom Freedman for the NDP, Independent MLA Bob Simpson from Cariboo North (via Skype), and Chris George of the Green Party from the Shuswap. 

The two sitting BC Liberal MLA's (Environment Minister Terry Lake -- and soon to be retired Kamloops South MLA Kevin Krueger) were not in attendance. That's understandable given the legislature is in session. I was surprised however to see that Todd Stone, who will be running for the Liberals to replace Kevin, was not at the forum.  

Forum moderator political commentator Vaughn Palmer, from the Vancouver Sun, said, “Most parties obliged (the forum invitation) and I’ll leave you to reach whatever conclusions you want.” 

Judging by some comments I overheard, it seems like more than just a few seemed to think that the Liberals 'haven't the time to discuss the deplorable state of our forest industry.' 

Regardless, there were introductory statement given by four participants on the panel.  This was followed by three questions which each of the participants were given a chance to answer.  

The story in the Kamloops Daily News included a retort, from Palmer who commented; "We would like to think that it will be like Question Period, only with content.” 

From my view, our BC Conservative representative Tom Birch, along with sitting MLA Bob Simpson, seemed to be the best prepared, and provided clear and informative comments.  

Tom Birch spoke from a position of knowledge and experience, and I feel came across well. He spoke in favour of change to the way we approach forestry practices. 

I mean to speak no ill of Kamloops South Thompson NDP candidate Tom Freedman, however it did seem like more of the same; everything boiled down to one thing ... community involvement in all planning, as well as using legislation to reform forestry practices. That seemed to dominate through his answers. 

There were questions put forward to the audience, to the panel. Of those few that asked a question, a several definitely had forestry experience. Some were also past participants of community groups within our area, or close by. 

So what was the bottom line? Well again, in my opinion, pretty well most everyone felt that our forest industry is in bad shape. 

It also seemed like there was agreement that the Liberal government has not invested enough money to correct some serious problems ... including repairing the damage to BC forests following their devastation by the Mountain Pine Beetle. 

Again quoting from the Kamloops Daily News story:

(Tom) Birch, who worked in the forest industry for 20 years, said he doesn’t like to hear it described as a “sunset industry.” 

“That is a very disturbing view, that we could so badly manage our forest industry,” a renewable resource, he said. 

He used as an example the fact that the BC Liberals have invested only $8 million a year, for the past 10 years, to repair the devastation due to the Pine Beetle epidemic ... an amount that equals just $2.50 per Hectare. 

We need to do better! 

I have every intention of joining Tom Birch, and others BC Conservative candidates from across the province, in the BC Legislature. From there we will do what is needed so that the forest industry -- vital for so many decades to BC's economy and the well being of interior communities including here in Kamloops -- DOES NOT become a sunset industry. 

Let's 'stay sharp' Kamloops.  

I'm Peter Sharp ... I'm a BC Conservative ... and I believe in BC.