BC’s Forests Minister says he’ll be happy to serve in his role for as long as the Premier decides.
Speaking on NL Newsday, Doug Donaldson was asked about rumours that he might be moved out of the forestry file at the next cabinet shuffle.
“The Forestry File is something that I’m very happy to fill because of the place where I live, (in Hazelton), and the knowledge that I have about how many communities in B.C., rural communities, are dependent on the forestry industry,” he said.
Opposition MLA’s – including Kamloops-North Thompson’s Peter Milobar – say they’ve been left wanting more from Donaldson in his role as BC’s Forests Minister.
Milobar says instead Donaldson keeps sending his “errand boy” Ravi Kahlon into town fresh on the file every few months to ‘say some nice words’.
“We’re trying to work with them to bring forward some sorts of solution,” Milobar noted. “Remember, this is not happening in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or in Washington. It’s just not happening anywhere but BC, and it’s because of government policy.”
Milobar told NL News in October that he thought the days of Doug Donaldson as Forests Minister were numbered.
And he once again reiterated that thought on the NL Morning News last week, saying he’s not surprised that Donaldson is not getting any ringing endorsements in the region.
“The forests minister and the Premier need to be the ones front and centre,” Milobar added. “That’s why as minister your job is to actually deal with these types of things, and not just hide away in Victoria or back in your riding. You need to be actually taking face to face with these groups of people.”
