News Release - June 19, 2008

VICTORIA - New Democrat MLA John Horgan today urged Forest Minister Rich Coleman to reverse his decision to allow Western Forest Products to sell off thousands of hectares of private lands from Tree Farm Licences on Vancouver Island.  Horgan made the call in reaction to news that WFP had issued layoff notices to 2,000 more forest workers on Vancouver Island.

"Rich Coleman allowed timber companies to sell off timber licensed lands under the pretext that the profits would help protect forest workers' jobs and sustain the economies of forest-dependant communities," said Horgan, MLA for Malahat - Juan De Fuca. 

"Today's layoffs put the lie to Rich Coleman's explanation and make it clear that the move was designed to enrich the B.C. Liberals' corporate backers, not to protect forest workers."

In February of 2007 the Campbell government allowed Western Forest Products to release large areas of forested land from public scrutiny and regulations required under the Forest Act. 

This move by the B.C. Liberals has allowed the forestry giant to now sell more than 1,800 hectares of forested land along the coastline from Otter Point to Jordan River.  The remaining 28,000 hectares of forested land owned by Western Forest Products along Vancouver Island may also be open to future sale and development.

"Minister Coleman now has no reason to allow this unconscionable land giveaway to stand," said Horgan.  "If he is a man of his word he will act immediately and tell WFP that the reasoning behind their application for land removals is no longer valid."

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Contact: Sara Goldvine (250) 208-3560