“Sea of Red”

September 14, 2005

Monday morning was spent like many others for me…on an airplane. However, this trip was different because I was accompanied by Stephen Harper, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, our destination was Prince George and he was about to make an announcement of vital importance to the mainstay of British Columbia’s economy…our forest industry.

For years now, I and many others have been raising the alarm in Ottawa regarding a looming natural disaster of monumental proportions. I’m speaking of course about the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation that is ravaging the forests of central and northern B.C. Unfortunately, and despite our best efforts, these warnings have largely fallen on deaf ears when it comes to the federal Liberal government. Irrespective of the fact that red is the Liberals’ favorite colour…this sea of red should horrify even them!

Upon arrival in Prince George we immediately embarked on a one hour helicopter flight over some of the worst hit areas in our region. Our flight was courtesy of Dunkley Lumber and throughout the flight we benefited from a simultaneous and comprehensive in-flight briefing from Blair Mayes and from Doug Routledge of the Council of Forest Industries (COFI).

It is currently estimated that the beetle epidemic covers an area of B.C.’s interior 1200 kilometres long by 575 kilometres wide or, nearly the size of Sweden! Even the physical barrier of the Rocky Mountains has not stopped this scourge as it has now found its way through the mountain passes and infected forests around Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge.

The beetles attack lodgepole pine, which accounts for more than 50 per cent of the growing stock in B.C.’s interior and which is the most predominant species of commercially harvested wood in British Columbia. While it prefers more mature pine, as the supply dwindles they attack younger trees.

Time is of the essence as the market value of the harvested wood declines rapidly as the trees dry and split. In addition to the horrendous scale of the devastation, literally from horizon to horizon in every direction, I was struck by the enormous task that lies ahead.

There is little doubt that we are a long way behind the beetles in our harvesting efforts! The irony of the situation is that for the next decade or so, our forest industry and the thousands of families that depend upon it will be working at a feverish pace to harvest and process this wood while it is still of value. But what follows?

That is when a long term commitment from all levels of government is necessary to mitigate the damage. That is where short term, ad hoc funding like what the federal Liberals have announced thus far is totally inadequate.

And, that is why Stephen Harper’s commitment on Monday to a ten year, billion dollar assistance package following the election of a Conservative government is the news B.C.’s forest dependent families and communities were longing for!

Now if only Prime Minister Martin and his federal Liberals would also steal this part of our policy…

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