Minister rejects union call for his resignation over slumping B.C. forest industry
The Canadian Press
April 25, 2008
The 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 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
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