OP/ED: Neighbours United urges MLAs: work together for people and nature
By Contributor
Neighbours United extends its congratulations to both locally elected MLAs, Brittny Anderson and Steve Morisette, as well as all candidates who ran in the West Kootenay region. The organization hopes they will work together in the legislature, and across party lines, to ensure British Columbians get a better balance for people who work in forestry and old growth forests.
“We can’t keep putting carbon pollution into the air and clearcutting our old-growth forests while expecting people to stay healthy and safe,” says Montana Burgess, executive director of Neighbours United. “We need our MLAs to stand up in their party and stop prioritizing the profiteering of the big logging companies over our last remaining old growth forests and West Kootenay families working in forestry.”
While corporate profits rise, mills are closing, and families are struggling to make ends meet. However, prioritizing healthy ecosystems offers a way forward, where long-term sustainable forestry jobs allow workers to support their families while defending nature.
“Our volunteers called over 7000 people across the province to help them make their voting plans. We believe engaging British Columbians in democracy is necessary to keep our drinking water and air clean. And we know British Columbians care deeply about defending the last remaining old-growth forests,” says Joelle Burnie, Neighbours United’s Defend Our Home program manager.
Neighbours United hopes the new BC Government will legislate the promised improvements to forestry management through the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Law in the next session.
