Bush Creek East wildfire (Image credit: BC Wildfire Service/File photo).

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: When it comes to wildfires, sometimes politicians should shut up

Sep 7, 2023 | 5:06 AM

TAKING THE POLITICS out of the wildfires would be welcome about now.

Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo got into an exchange of barbs last week with NDP MLA Ravi Parmar that doesn’t look good on either of them.

It has its roots in a blast aimed at the Eby government by Kyllo and fellow BC United MLAs Peter Milobar and Todd Stone as wildfire raged in the Shuswap. The trio raked the New Democrats over the coals for the tight lid being kept on the evacuation zone by BC Wildfire Service and the RCMP.

Those attempting to get food and supplies to citizens who stayed behind to fight the fire must be allowed in, they said. Things really hit the fan when 20 or so people took part in a so-called “freedom convoy” to confront police at a checkpoint set up on the highway.

One way of looking at the situation is that the three MLAs were being opportunistic and playing some cheap politics. Another is that they were simply trying to speak on behalf of constituents.

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According to Parmar, a rookie NDP MLA elected in a June byelection, they were advocating for evacuation orders to be ignored. That’s an exaggeration — it’s pretty clear the three weren’t suggesting anyone ignore evacuation orders and certainly not to attempt to overwhelm a police roadblock.

But Kyllo’s response to Parmar’s accusations were a little over the top as well. He likened Parmar to a hockey goon sent out by the coach to beat up the other team. It was his way of putting down an opposing politician, but it was uncalled for.
Thousands of people have been impacted by the wildfires this year; many have lost their homes and possessions. The stress they’re feeling must be incredibly intense.

What good did the politicians think they were doing with their word-feud? Whatever they thought, it did no one any good.

Sometimes, politicians should just shut up.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.