This page contains annotated news stories and press releases with commentary about land reform and the democratic process in British Columbia. Our comments are shown in red.
Here at the Dogwood Initiative, we couldn't agree more with the Steelworkers on this one!
It is clearly time for a new Forest Minister!
To sign the petition asking for Colman's resignation and make a video submission demanding he quit, go to www.bc4sale.org.
It is clearly time for a new Forest Minister!
To sign the petition asking for Colman's resignation and make a video submission demanding he quit, go to www.bc4sale.org.
Minister rejects union call for his resignation over slumping B.C. forest industry
Apr 25, 2008The United Steelworkers Union, representing most forest workers in the province, says Coleman should quit for failing to help the forest industry, which is struggling under the weight of a high dollar and depressed lumber markets.
The union accused the B.C. government of being part of the problem with policies that have given forest companies a free hand and allowed the export of too many raw logs.
But Coleman is refusing to step down, saying the government is working with stakeholders, including unions, to find ways to make the industry work better in the future.
"We're going to take this time to actually look at the future of forestry and work really hard to see what will make it tick in the next generation," he said.
NDP leader Carole James said she's appalled by Coleman's stance.
"For a Liberal government to throw in the towel on a major industry that supports jobs, that supports communities, that support tax base and small businesses, it's just unbelievable to me that they would do that," she said.
"They seem to think that the forest industry is part of our past and not part of our future".
Coleman said he's also considering the steelworker union's 10-point plan to help the industry.
That plan calls for changes in the softwood lumber deal with the U.S., halting raw log exports, and more incentives to encourage domestic timber processing
The union accused the B.C. government of being part of the problem with policies that have given forest companies a free hand and allowed the export of too many raw logs.
But Coleman is refusing to step down, saying the government is working with stakeholders, including unions, to find ways to make the industry work better in the future.
"We're going to take this time to actually look at the future of forestry and work really hard to see what will make it tick in the next generation," he said.
NDP leader Carole James said she's appalled by Coleman's stance.
"For a Liberal government to throw in the towel on a major industry that supports jobs, that supports communities, that support tax base and small businesses, it's just unbelievable to me that they would do that," she said.
"They seem to think that the forest industry is part of our past and not part of our future".
Coleman said he's also considering the steelworker union's 10-point plan to help the industry.
That plan calls for changes in the softwood lumber deal with the U.S., halting raw log exports, and more incentives to encourage domestic timber processing
