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What do you want to see in a new Forests Minister?
We are asking for Rich Coleman's resignation because of his poor track record as a public servant. We feel that British Columbians deserve a new Forests Minister who will truly put the long-term future of our forests, and forest communities first. Here is your opportunity to shape the future. Please add your comments on what you, personally, are looking for in a new BC Minister of Forests.
Comments
New Forest Minister desperately needed
We need a new Forest Minister who will see that the Forest is managed for the best good of the Tax Payers of British Columbia. It apparent that Rich Coleman is catering to the short term gain of the large Forest Corporations and is blatently ignoring the needs of the Public.
Gov't Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Premiers:
I want to see government & elected officials made responsible for their actions. No hiding behind other employees, nor government reports, nor "orders".
When we hear of hidden data, meetings, and actions taken, the official responsible must disclose the information and give the public time to digest the intended actions of government before any harm comes to the common good.
Whenever actions are deemed against the public good, those actions must stop and an independent inquiry be struck. It must have teeth. The official who has recommended or engaged in those wrongdoings must pay, either with a demotion, a financial payment, and/or with a resignation; whichever meets the best reparation for the deed committed will suffice. And no one person(s), nor any company, shall be protected from heavy litigation in the stealth of our public good.
There must be strong whistleblower protection!
I want a new Forest Minister that:
- Has the courage to plan for a long-term, value-added forest industry at the expense of the short term interests of the forest majors.
- Actually has experience in forestry and has given it some thought prior to being handed the job. In other words, I want a Forest Minister who actually knows what he's talking about and can think for himself.
- Has the integrity to bring differing interests together, rather than blatantly try to drive them apart (for example, saying 'we don't need any more parks' to truck-loggers seemed like an obvious attempt to drive a wedge between two different interests that need to be patiently brought together).
- Actually wants the job
- Is able to honestly and straightforwardly answer direct questions in the Legislature rather than resorting to useless personal attacks.
- Stops claiming to be protecting jobs while eroding them in both the short and long term.
I want a Forest Minister who...
I want a Forest Minister who would maintain the integrity of the Tree Farm Licence (TFL) system. The original TFL system was designed with the intention to ensure long term economic and ecological sustainability in BC's forests. The TFL system was a social contract protecting forestry jobs, and offering market value compensation when TFL deletions were made.
I want a Forest Minister who cares about the needs of his constituency, by asking them what they want. I deserve to be invited to take part in the democratic process when there are land based decisions that affect me. I want a forest minister that cares about First Nations peoples and understands that these peoples are not just morally, but legally entitled to meaningful consultation and accommodation on decisions that affect their traditional territories.
I want logs and jobs to stay in the province, and I want to see an increase in percentage of the Annual Allowable Cut reserved for small, community managed woodlots, a ban on raw log exports, and a focus on value added products.
I want a Forest Minister who isn't convinced that corporate ownership (verging on a monopoly) of BC's forests is the only option we have, nor do I want a minister who continuously gives corporate handouts at the expense of taxpayers.
I want all these things and more, and I know that it’s not too much to ask!
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