File photo of MP McLeod (CFJC Today)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

NATURAL RESOURCE INDUSTRY CONCERNS

Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP brings BC forest sector concerns to Minister of Natural Resources

Feb 15, 2020 | 10:46 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo’s MP says she had a well rounded discussion this week with Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources.

Cathy McLeod, who is also the opposition Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, met with Seamus O’Regan yesterday (Feb. 14) to go over some key items the Ministry needs to focus on ahead of the 2020 budget.

Notably, McLeod says the recent rail blockades across Canada came up in their talk. The blockades follow protests from groups supporting Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, who have been working to halt the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline that would pass through their traditional territory in northern BC.

“It’s another very difficult thing for the industry to deal with, and I just wanted to have a discussion in terms of the importance of a resolution to the rail issues, and the illegal blockades, but also about the upcoming budget, and some reasonable suggestions that have been given to me in terms of how the government can help.”

McLeod says the impact the blockades can have on the economy can be wide spread – from forestry, to construction, and the movement of Canada’s grain products.

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“We need to get a resolution on this. We have an injunction. I appreciate that the police are in a very difficult position, and they have to be cognizant of public safety and moving forward. But they are illegal blockades, and they do have to come down,” she says, “So we can’t have our entire supply chain and our economy held to ransom with some illegal blockades.”

The local Member of Parliament also says BC’s forestry industry downturn was a key point, and she worries that the blockade impact would trickle into an already struggling industry.

“We’ve had a significant crisis in the forestry industry, but the recent rail blocks have even compounded what is already a fragile situation. You know, lumber can’t get to mills, and then from mills on to the consumers.”

With mill shut downs comes supply chain impacts, which McLeod says can force people who are unable to find work or pay bills to move elsewhere. She adds that she’s hopeful appropriate measures will be implemented by the sitting Government, and she’ll be waiting to see what is included in the 2020 budget.