Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris has a new assignment.
The former RCMP officer was tasked in his role as parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations to review fines and penalties leveled against people who start wildfires and to consider new ways to crack down on them.
"We must send a clear message to those that carelessly start wildfires that their behaviour will not be tolerated," said a Morris-signed opinion piece.
Among the suggestions put forward include doubling fines for people who don't extinguish campfires and impounding vehicles of those who flick cigarette butts from their windows.
The majority of British Columbians are respectful and careful, Morris wrote, "but there are still too many individuals who haven't heard the message and continue to make careless decisions that lead to wildfires."
As of July 14, fire crews have responded to 1,083 fires throughout the province, which is more than double the amount from the same time last year. Of those fires, more than one-third have been determined to be caused by humans.
"It's often said that you can't legislate against stupidity, but if exploring the idea of harsher penalties for careless acts means more people get the message, we must do it," Morris wrote.
