Quesnel, B.C., mayor says political uncertainty creates problems in the province

QUESNEL, B.C. — The mayor of Quesnel says political uncertainty in British Columbia is putting pressure on resource-dependent communities.

Bob Simpson says forest companies in the Quesnel-area are awaiting their annual allowable cut determination to learn how much they can harvest in the future.

He says B.C.’s chief forester won’t be issuing those figures until a new government and a new forests minister are in place, and the lack of detail about the softwood lumber agreement is compounding the anxiety.

He says residents are also uncertain about Liberal government promises of a new intensive care unit and emergency ward for G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel.