Activists Release Chickens in MLA's Office

(Victoria) Three years after the provincial government effectively privatized 28,000 of forest lands west of Victoria the problem came home to roost for MLA Ida Chong. Student activists released half a dozen chickens into Chong's constituency office as part of a community rally protesting the minister's failure to address the problem her government created.

"Ida Chong helped create a huge problem three years ago and she hasn't done a thing to resolve it," said UVic Student Edward Pullman. "Today, we brought a problem home to roost in her office to remind her that this community has not forgotten her mistakes."

Community members have been further frustrated by the Government's refusal to help parties that have proposed solutions. The University of British Columbia (UBC) recently stated its intention to purchase all 28,000 ha of the forest lands.  The proposal would require the Province to extend UBC's borrowing limit and provide some financial assistance for the purchase, but the Liberals have refused help.

"Unions, environmentalists, community groups, First Nations leaders, and local politicians are all working together to preserve the former TFL land," said Gordon O'Connor of the Dogwood Initiative. "The only group not coming to the table right now is the Province."

The Capital Regional District (CRD) recently committed to purchasing 2,300 ha of the former TFL land between Sooke and Jordan River.  This historic purchase took some of the most high value land off the market and made the UBC proposal even more feasible.  Sources inside the university confirm that the university is still interested in the remaining 25,700 ha and are waiting for assistance from the province.