Slocan Valley residents filled the legion hall tonight, Monday, September 7, for the Kootenay-Monashee riding’s only confirmed provincial election candidate forum.
All three candidates were in attendance- BC NDP candidate Steve Morissette, BC Green Party candidate Donovan Cavers and BC Conservative candidate Glen Byle- to hear about local concerns and pitch their party policies.
While many questions were around health, homelessness, the environment and forestry, it was wildfire prevention and support that took centre stage, which is no surprise following the devastating season many communities faced this summer.
BC NDP candidate Steve Morissette recommitted to his party’s policy on the topic.
“There’s more funding for fire smart programs for communities. There’s now a year-round BC Wildfire Service, we’re partnering with Columbia Basin Trust for fire safe programs, and we’re planting 300 million trees.” said Morissette.
BC Greens candidate Donovan Cavers addressed the factors involved in the growing forest fire situation not only locally, but across the province.
“Forestry mismanagement is part of the reason that these forest fires are spreading faster than they would normally. The way we’re managing our forests is like they’re an agricultural product.” said Cavers.
“They continued logging old growth, they continued aerial spraying to remove species that they did not want or companies that were operating under their government didn’t want. And a lot of those things exacerbated the spread and the speed that wildfires move.”
BC Conservatives candidate Glen Byle backed prevention in a key policy moving forward.
“Prevention includes controlled burns in the spring, when there’s less chance of it spreading uncontrollably, reducing the amount of fuel and also reducing fuel in fire break locations, so that when there is a forest fire there is a better chance of fighting it.” said Byle.
Advanced voting will begin October 10th, with election day on October 19.
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