The MLA for Peace River South is eager to hear what the Premier has to say today when he visits Dawson Creek to try to lower the temperature in a heated debate over saving B.C.’s mountain caribou.
Mike Bernier says the people in the region are angry about consultations being done seemingly after the fact.
Bernier says those consultation now underway are causing fresh anger with members of the panel arguing with already frustrated crowds.
Today Premier John Horgan will meet with stakeholders and hold a media availability.
“The Premier in my opinion needs to put on the brakes and agree to meaningful consultation with everyone and try to alleviate some of the fears that there is not going to be a whole bunch of job losses right away without things being talked about. It is a sign that maybe they got it wrong and maybe the Premier is going to try and change course here to try to get rid of some of the frustration but we will have to wait and see.”
According to Bernier the panel the province sent to the area to hold long-awaited consultations is only making things worse.
“The panel is, no insult intended, but it is junior level bureaucrats. They are coming up and sitting in front of the crowd and frankly what is frustrating a lot of people is the panel instead of saying that is a great idea I will take it back they are basically getting into debates and arguing with people in the crowd why their ideas won’t work. That is actually just frustrating people even more because this is not consultation at all.”
He says the Premier has invited him into a private meeting prior to what ever he has to say this afternoon.
Bernier says the only way to chart a path forward is for everyone to work together and that is not happening.
