British Columbia Federation of Labour

Conservative cuts come on same day federal report says 80 percent of BC's pine forest will be affected.

Vancouver—Funding to tackle BC’s growing pine-beetle problem should never have been on the chopping block, says B.C Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair, and the Conservatives should restore the money immediately.

Earlier today, a federal government report warned that the pine-beetle epidemic in BC’s forests is growing and that by the year 2013 eighty percent of BC’s pine forest will be impacted.

Later, the federal Conservative government announced $1 billion in spending cuts that did not pass the government’s "value-for-money" test, including $11.7 million earmarked for the pine-beetle crisis.

"On the one hand, the federal government says we have a huge problem, and with the other they're cutting funds that were aimed at addressing the situation," said Sinclair. "This government has its priorities wrong."

Sinclair challenged Conservative MPs to reverse the decision. "We’ve watched BC’s Conservative MPs support Stephen Harper’s softwood sell-out, and they’ve been silent on BC’s growing log exports. Now’s their chance to stand up for BC’s forest communities."

This November delegates to the Federation’s 50^th Convention will be debating a Report on the growing crisis facing BC’s resource-dependant communities. "Working people know that the next 5 to 10 years is going to bring resource communities enormous challenges. It’s not just forest jobs, it’s our schools, hospitals and community infrastructure that’s at risk," Sinclair said.

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For more information contact: Jessie Uppal 604-430-1421 or 604-220-0739.