With the 2024 provincial election officially complete, local groups are eager to present their priorities to West Kootenay’s new and re-elected officials.
Neighbours United, formerly the West Kootenay Eco Society, hopes that re-elected Kootenay-Central MLA Brittny Anderson and newly elected Kootenay-Monashee MLA Steve Morrisette will work towards a better balance for those employed in forestry and old-growth forests.
While the provincial election results are still pending, Executive Director Montana Burgges hopes West Kootenay MLAs will unite in support of local communities that rely on forestry for jobs.
“I think both Brittny Anderson and Steve Morrisette are good people. But I think now it’s time for them to work harder in their party—regardless of whether the NDP forms government or not—to make sure that we are standing up for our communities that have, in the past, depended on forestry for employment.”
The organization states that while corporate profits rise, mills are closing, and families are struggling to make ends meet. Prioritizing healthy ecosystems can lead to long-term sustainable forestry jobs that support both workers and nature.
“I really hope that they can do better to ensure that there are rules like a biodiversity and ecosystem health law that prioritizes nature and the ecosystem health of our amazing, beautiful forested region while creating job opportunities for the long term, so we can maintain those good forestry jobs that are getting fewer and fewer.”
She highlights that united front is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of forestry in the region and calls for elected officials to adopt a non-partisan approach to policies that keep local ecosystems healthy while addressing the region’s economic needs.
“Our province is so divided; it’s pretty clear, and I think now is the time to put aside partisan differences, stop blaming other parties, and really come together with the community to listen and stand up for what we need to make sure our water stays clean, our air stays clean, and our land stays healthy, so we can provide these good jobs in our community while also ensuring that nature is intact.”
A third-party investigation conducted in 2020 revealed alarming rates of old-growth logging. This led to the development of the Old Growth Strategic Review and 14 recommendations for the province to implement to protect remaining old growth and shift forestry practices.
A key recommendation is to legislate a priority on ecosystem health, which Burgges believes is essential for achieving balance.
“We believe as an organization that the only way to change the way we manage forests and find that better balance is by getting it done through legislation. They’ve stated they’re going to do it, but it still hasn’t happened. So no matter who forms government, we want to see that happen in the next session.”
The NDP government has taken some steps that align with the 14 recommendations, including creating a framework with input from industry and First Nations groups and different constituencies, but none have been enacted into legislation.
Burgges notes that organizations like Neighbours United, along with voters, play a crucial role in ensuring public support for working families in forestry while advocating for a new approach to environmental protection and a better balance in resource management.
“Regardless of what party is in power, there are good people working behind the scenes we can collaborate with. There’s still a role for organizations like Neighbours United and voters to ensure there’s overwhelming public support for making sure working families have what they need to continue in forestry jobs while also finding new ways to defend nature and achieve that better balance that we currently lack.”
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