Opinion: B.C. shortchanges rural communities to pay for forestry rescue plan

Just about everyone who works in the forest industry, or lives in a small community that depends on forestry, knows it has taken months for John Horgan and the NDP to finally come up with some kind of plan to help the workers and the industry rebound from the worst crisis in 40 years.

Unfortunately, the hastily assembled support program announced last week for forestry workers falls flat on all levels.

First, the vast majority of the $69 million announced last week will go towards the early retirement of workers aged 55 years and older.

To make this program work, however, the provincial government says industry and the federal government must come to the table first.

That’s a problem because it means this scheme has been cooked-up at the last minute and was conceived without the participation of Ottawa or forest companies.

The second problem relates to what I indicated last week. The reason why the NDP has sat on its hands and have basically done nothing for months now is because the provincial government has simply run out of money.

Finance Minister Carole James pretty much indicated that a few weeks ago, so to make matters worse, Horgan is going to “temporarily suspend” the Rural Dividend Program indefinitely to pay for the forestry plan.

The previous government established the $100 million Rural Dividend Fund to help smaller communities and First Nations re-invigorate local economies and create new employment opportunities, like in Fort Nelson, which has been struggling for years.

Starved for cash, Horgan is now robbing Peter to pay Paul, all at the expense of rural British Columbia. This is not only outrageous, it smacks of gross negligence and incompetence.

Worst of all, there is no plan to help the industry get back on its feet. Instead, Horgan is showing older workers the door and thumbing his nose at anyone who wants to continue working in forestry.

If you feel this is ridiculously unfair, I invite you to share your feelings with Premier Horgan by phone at 250-387-1715 or contact him by email at [email protected].

Dan Davies is the BC Liberal MLA for Peace River North.

- Dan Davies, Alaska Highway News