Macdonald on rural matters

Press release –

Rural BC Matters,

Rural voters are saying that they want a government that understands rural British Columbia. After eight years of Gordon Campbell, rural voters are tired of having their tax dollars spent on pet projects in the lower mainland while service after service is removed from our communities.

Rural voters are ready for a government that believes that rural BC really matters; a government that will put in place real solutions that will support rural residents and their communities.

On Thursday, the NDP laid out a rural agenda for British Columbians. A plan for concrete action that will promote and protect rural communities. And a plan to help ensure that we can stay in our communities; that our children can choose to work here, and our seniors can receive the care they need.

I believe that rural communities deserve their fair share. That is why we are proposing a Rural Economic Development Fund that will transfer wealth back to resource communities. The NDP will restore autonomy to local communities by allowing local governments the say in the zoning of private power projects. We will establish a Community and Jobs Protection Commissioner to protect rural resource communities through the tough times.

I understand the importance of resource industries in rural economies. Forestry, agriculture and mining are a fundamental part of British Columbia’s economy, but Gordon Campbell turned his back on these industries leaving our communities to suffer. I will continue to stand up for resource workers and work to implement a long-term plan to revitalize our resource industries.

Our 5-point plan for forestry is available at www.ourforests.ca. Instead of throwing up our hands and saying that there is nothing that can be done, the NDP is committed to a new vision for forestry that is green and sustainable.

We have a plan for mining which will increase environmental sustainability while providing greater stability and certainty for the industry.

We are committed to increasing opportunities for agriculture in BC by promoting the growing trend to eat closer to home, by protecting existing farmland and by developing supports for farmers and local growers.

I understand the value of rural communities; I chose to raise my children in a rural community. I believe that we need to protect our communities so that our children can also choose to raise our grandchildren here.

April 10, 2009
Norm Macdonald, MLA
Columbia River – Revelstoke