B.C.’s Parliamentary Secretary for Forestry says mental health supports are being asked for from communities in the North Thompson.

Delta-North MLA Ravi Kahlon says that was part of discussions he had with local leaders this week, as the region grapples with a crisis in the forest sector.

“Obviously getting people back to work is the number-one priority, that will help with the stress and that’s where our main focus is. But we don’t want to forget about kids along the way. And that’s something mayors and councils have been raising in the communities throughout the region. Some have the supports in place, and some are looking for a little bit of extra help,” Kahlon says.

“In particular, it’s kids. There’s a concern that obviously parents are going through some stressful times, and the kids kind of don’t fully understand what’s happening. In some cases, people are worried about the workers themselves. And so it’s finding that balance.”

The mayor of Clearwater says the area is in a “full crisis” because of forestry, but is optimistic about brainstorming that is going on.

Merlin Blackwell says stakeholders met this week to discuss ideas on forestry renewal and how to better use fibre that gets thrown away.

He says job cuts in the North Thompson are having further spinoffs.

“I got two kids done working at Loewen Machinery in Kamloops, and they’ve seen some bumps and grinds in their service and logging equipment, as far as slowdowns. So this whole conversation on what’s happening up here in the North Thompson is trickling down everywhere. But it was a really great positive conversation, we talked about a lot of things, trying to get the federal government involved. Because we are in a full crisis now.”

Blackwell says stakeholders will be meeting again in a month to break down some of their ideas.