Government out of control

Renewable resources, especially forestry, have been sadly neglected since the Liberals were elected

ā€œAt the end of the day, what have you?ā€ is a favourite saying of Christy Clark.

If she is talking about the significant amounts of money the B.C. government received from the sale of gas and oil permits, the answer is ā€œnothing.ā€ All of it went into general funds for the budget, with nothing left for the future as those non-renewable resources are used.

She is now saying that some money would be put aside for the future — maybe.

As for renewable resources, they, especially forestry, have been sadly neglected starting with Gordon Campbell and continued by Rich Coleman and on to the present. The forest ministry is a mere shadow of its former self.

Forestry has been and should continue to be an important part of B.C.’s economy as a valuable, sustainable resource.

The inventory is sadly out of date; too many logs have been shipped out of country; scaling and checking of logging practices is minimal.

This is a vital resource for many reasons — to help retain soil, ease spring run-off, for fish habitat, for wildlife and for recreation and tourism values. Long neglect will (perhaps has) create a barren time when harvesting would be wanted on land set aside for no logging because of other values.

It takes time for trees to grow — they are not an instant crop in B.C. but it is the sad story of 10 years of Liberal government.

Furthermore, any government that assigns a budget number to a university, then after the budget is set, cuts four per cent of the funding, is a government which is operating out of control. It is hypocrisy to behave in such a manner.

Sheila White

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Summerland

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