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.
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.
