The Conservative MP in Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo says a minority government means the opposition is in a better position to take action on issues like the forestry crisis in the BC Interior.

Cathy McLeod says the Conservatives have a stronger mandate in BC, taking five seats back from the Liberals in the Lower Mainland and one in the Interior.

“Our BC Caucus, we are stronger now. We’ve increased our numbers in British Columbia, and the forestry file has always been very important to us, and I think we are going to make sure it gets a lot more attention,” said McLeod.”

With the crisis largely a provincial issue, she was asked what an MP can do about it.

“I’ve talked about the forestry issue in terms of the softwood lumber agreement, and making sure that everything is being done for the workers that is normally done in difficult times, and also the diversification file,” McLeod added. “In a minority government actually, we are in a much better position to pull some of the levers on those issues.”

McLeod says the Liberals have to this point completely ignored the forestry crisis in the BC Interior, saying that now needs to change.