Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19

Thread: BCWF Election Questions and the Liberals' Response

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    North Van
    Posts
    1,888

    BCWF Election Questions and the Liberals' Response

    FYI

    As most of you know, whenever there is an election BCWF develops some questions for the parties running. BCWF is non-partisan and asks the same questions of everyone.

    The party line response sometimes differs from what you might hear from your particular MLA, but sometimes your MLA will simply repeat the party line. It's good to know if and when that is happening (because, as we all know, you should be contacting your MLAs right now and busting their chops to get more funding and better management of wildlife).

    Anyway...here is the Liberal party line response, along with the questions.

    1. FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

    In B.C., we now have endangered steelhead, endangered caribou, record low salmon and
    moose populations, and in parts of the province, declining sheep and mule deer populations.
    Dwindling fish and wildlife values mean increased social conflict and a loss of food security and
    tourism-related jobs, all while leaving today's British Columbians wondering if they will leave
    this province better than they found it.


    Fish and Wildlife Questions: What do you feel is the most critical factor negatively
    impacting B.C.'s fish and wildlife and their habitats? If you are elected, what legislative
    changes or initiatives will you commit to in order to reverse the declining trends for
    B.C.'s fish and wildlife, and how do you envision that change making a positive impact?
    Please include costing and timeline for your plan.

    BC Liberals Response:


    British Columbia’s landscape represents an incredibly diverse range of species and habitats –
    some of the most incredible in our country and the world. BC Liberals believe our natural
    environment must be protected for future generations – we owe it to our kids to make sure
    that we leave things in better shape than we found them. The challenges of today are
    significant – from invasive species, conservation challenges, to the protection of wetlands and
    more - but they can be met head on and the BC Liberals will do just that.
    Unlike John Horgan’s NDP Government that cut the Ministry of Environment’s budget by $4.6
    million, a BC Liberal Government led by Andrew Wilkinson will act to enhance fish and wildlife
    populations, for the benefit of all British Columbians who love and depend on our great
    outdoors for jobs and recreation. We look forward to sharing more details on these actions
    with the release of our full platform.

    2. HABITAT AND WATER SUSTAINABILITY


    The BCWF, in partnership with the Watershed Security Coalition, is calling for increased
    investment in watershed security in British Columbia. Population growth, increased
    development and a warming climate are putting pressure on watersheds in every region of B.C.
    The solution is to invest in wetland and streambank restoration, invasive species removal,
    indigenous and local government watershed monitoring programs, and fish and wildlife
    stewardship. We need to ensure we have sufficient water left in rivers to support salmonids'
    migration to their spawning grounds in regions most impacted by climate change.
    Habitat and Water Sustainability Questions: Will you establish a B.C. Watershed Security
    Fund to fund local and regionally-led clean water initiatives and create good, sustainable,
    local jobs for British Columbians of all ages and backgrounds in watershed restoration,
    monitoring, technology, training and education? Please provide costing and timeline for
    your water security plan.


    (Jurisdiction: MoE, FLNRORD, Ministry of Health)


    BC Liberals Response:
    Clean water is a vital to maintaining a healthy province and rebuilding B.C.’s economy. BC
    Liberals have a long and deep commitment to promoting healthy watersheds, sustainable
    ecosystems, and thriving communities supported by responsible resource development. A BC
    Liberal government led by Andrew Wilkinson will continue to build on that record. As a cabinet
    minister, Andrew Wilkinson helped pass B.C.’s Water Sustainability Act and supported
    hundreds of millions of funding for initiatives to protect B.C.’s water. His commitment to
    promoting healthy watersheds as a cabinet minister will only continue as Premier.
    British Columbians across our province depend on our natural environment for not only their
    recreation, but also their jobs. Over the coming days, we will be releasing our platform that will
    outline how we intend to prioritize the protection of B.C’s watersheds and the local jobs and
    economies that depend on them . As we adapt to our new normal during the pandemic, we
    must take strong action to protect and enhance our fish and wildlife populations – and the BC
    Liberals pledge to do that.

    3. PARKS AND PUBLIC ACCESS


    The BCWF is calling for the government to increase funding for B.C. parks and to build new
    campsites with a B.C. resident priority to catch up with the current heavy demand. Additional
    funding is required to hire more park rangers and conservation officers. Public access to public
    resources such as fish, wildlife, public roads, and campsites is a growing British Columbia issue.
    Parks and Access Questions: Will you increase funding for B.C. parks and Conservation
    Officer Service and implement resident-priority booking processes? If so, how much will
    you allocate for these budgets, when and how many more campsites will be built? Is
    public access to public resources and activities such as fishing, hunting, camping and
    hiking important to you? How will you protect British Columbians access to crown land
    and address attempts to restrict public access to B.C. parks and wild spaces


    (Jurisdiction: MoE)


    BC Liberals Response:


    British Columbia is world renowned for its unique and diverse environmental features. An
    essential part of that is B.C.’s vast parks and protected areas system. As British Columbians
    learned this summer during the pandemic – our parks and protected areas are critically
    important as we navigate our new normal and stay close to home.
    Earlier this John Horgan’s NDP Budget cut the funding of the Ministry of Environment and
    Climate Change Strategy by $4.6 million, including significant cuts to the Environmental
    Protection, Environmental Sustainability, BC Parks, and Conservative Officer Services. By
    comparison, Andrew Wilkinson supported millions of dollars of investment for campsite and
    park expansion. Under the BC Liberals, 84 new parks were established as well 156 new
    conservancies, two new ecological reserves, and 13 new protected areas. We also expanded
    more than 75 parks, six ecological reserves, and four protected areas.
    Parks, protected areas and public access to the backcountry will be prioritized under BC Liberal
    government. We’re excited to share our commitments with you soon.
    Rob Chipman
    "The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders" - Ed Abbey
    "Grown men do not need leaders" - also Ed Abbey

  2. Site Sponsor

  3. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    North Van
    Posts
    1,888

    Re: BCWF Election Questions and the Liberals' Response

    4. FISH AND AQUACULTURE


    The BCWF joins with other sports fishing and conservation groups to push for full
    implementation of the Cohen Commission's recommendations. The aquaculture industry needs
    to be transitioned to closed containment where possible.
    BCWF members and partners have been doing salmon enhancement for years. Citizen
    scientists and Indigenous communities know what needs to be done to help the fish both as
    smolts and returning adults. We need to engage all parties to work on sensible solutions to
    issues. The community fishers need to have a place at the table when discussions are held
    between governments. There are roughly 9,000 jobs created by community fishing service
    providers.


    Fish Management Questions: With the collapse of salmon populations happening across
    B.C., how do you anticipate the rebuilding of these populations? How will you ensure the
    recovery of the endangered steelhead? Will you ensure aquaculture moves to closed
    containment? Please provide the resources you will dedicate and a timeline for all three
    questions.


    (Jurisdiction: Ministry of Agriculture)


    BC Liberals Response:


    As a cabinet minister, Andrew voted to provide over $12 million to the Pacific Salmon
    Foundation, a non-profit citizens group dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wild
    Pacific salmon and their natural habitats in BC and the Yukon. He also voted to provide about
    $3 million per year to the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC.
    In July, the BC Liberal Steelhead Caucus once again called on the John Horgan and the NDP to
    take action to protect the endangered species. For three and a half years, John Horgan and the
    NDP have ignored the issue. While recent federal funding is important – steelhead are a
    provincial, not federal responsibility and the NDP’s failure to take real action could result in the
    loss of this incredible species.


    If the BC Liberals form government, we will take action on salmon and steelhead conservation
    in order to protect these vital and iconic species. For more details, please see our platform
    soon.

    5. PREDATOR MANAGEMENT


    Many mountain caribou populations are at a record low and moose populations are in
    significant decline in parts of B.C. Science has shown anthropogenic change as the leading cause,
    as wolf predation has become a major source of mortality.


    The growing grizzly bear population has become a major concern in many of the northern rural
    and First Nations communities recently. There have been close-call bear encounters and
    attacks including human and livestock losses. While this scenario may not be important to most
    of the population that lives in the southern part of the province, it is of serious concern to the
    northern portion.


    Question: Do you support predator management as a part of sustainable science-based
    wildlife management?


    Response:


    Any time there is a close call with a predator, that is very concerning to us. As a party, we are
    committed to protecting both people and wildlife.
    A BC Liberal government led by Andrew will take the necessary steps to protect people and
    species if endangered by predators with a responsible, thoughtful, science-based approach.
    Predator management has to be part of a prudent and holistic approach to species and
    ecosystem management.





    ********************

    If I run across responses from other parties I will post those as well.
    Rob Chipman
    "The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders" - Ed Abbey
    "Grown men do not need leaders" - also Ed Abbey

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    4,366

    Re: BCWF Election Questions and the Liberals' Response

    thanks for sharing Rob

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    RDN
    Posts
    6,656

    Re: BCWF Election Questions and the Liberals' Response

    Will the BC Liberals pull out of UNDRIP?
    Quote Originally Posted by ElectricDyck View Post
    ....i dont buy ** fish ..its like buying your stolen tools back from a crack head..

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    North Van
    Posts
    1,888

    Re: BCWF Election Questions and the Liberals' Response

    I feel you, Surrey Boy, but look outside your window. You live in Canada. You know what that means.

    UNDRIP is here to stay until the majority of every other western liberal democracy rejects it. Our politicians aren't exactly known for blazing brave independent paths, regardless of whether it makes sense or not. (I mean, seriously - The CCP is holding 2 Canadians hostage and the Ontario legislature was actually planning to fly the PRC flag on PRC independence day because....um....yeah, no, UNDRIP is here to stay).

    We do what we can. As St. Augustine said - limit yourself to set yourself free. We probably need to limit our political goals in order to actually accomplish a few. JMHO.

    Call your MLAs.

    Tell them funding, science and predator control matter. It's a small thing compared to UNDRIP, but we might grow from a little lump of coal into a genuine burr under someone's saddle (Live in hope, right?)
    Rob Chipman
    "The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders" - Ed Abbey
    "Grown men do not need leaders" - also Ed Abbey

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    RDN
    Posts
    6,656

    Re: BCWF Election Questions and the Liberals' Response

    I try to live in hope, and thanks for the encouragement.

    I remember Gordon Campbell's landslide after campaigning against special interest groups. It was unifying and energizing, even though it was essentially a hate campaign. He shot many sacred cows.

    Agitation is a fertile effort, and cultivating broad antipathy towards opponents is effective in democracies.

    Thanks for your work, and I'll continue to agitate.
    Quote Originally Posted by ElectricDyck View Post
    ....i dont buy ** fish ..its like buying your stolen tools back from a crack head..

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    1,614

    Re: BCWF Election Questions and the Liberals' Response

    Does the BC Liberals consider Hunting and Fishing to be unalienable essential rights for ALL BC citizens?

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Port Alberni
    Posts
    14,047

    Arrow Re: BCWF Election Questions and the Liberals' Response

    Quote Originally Posted by Walking Buffalo View Post
    Does the BC Liberals consider Hunting and Fishing to be unalienable essential rights for ALL BC citizens?
    Given their current leader is a Hunter and firearm owner, methinks that is about as close as we can expect from a politico at this point.

    As opposed to those who obvious intent and desire is to give away access / ownership of all lands and all resources on them (including hunting and fishing) to one particular group. Oh, and are also covertly backing True Dummy's play on gun bans...

    Hmmmmm...

    Nog
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVNNhzkJ-UU&feature=related

    Egotistical, Self Centered, Son of a Bitch Killer that Doesn't Play Well With Others.

    Guess he got to Know me

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    region 3
    Posts
    3,290

    Re: BCWF Election Questions and the Liberals' Response

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob Chipman View Post
    I feel you, Surrey Boy, but look outside your window. You live in Canada. You know what that means.

    UNDRIP is here to stay until the majority of every other western liberal democracy rejects it. Our politicians aren't exactly known for blazing brave independent paths, regardless of whether it makes sense or not. (I mean, seriously - The CCP is holding 2 Canadians hostage and the Ontario legislature was actually planning to fly the PRC flag on PRC independence day because....um....yeah, no, UNDRIP is here to stay).

    We do what we can. As St. Augustine said - limit yourself to set yourself free. We probably need to limit our political goals in order to actually accomplish a few. JMHO.

    Call your MLAs.

    Tell them funding, science and predator control matter. It's a small thing compared to UNDRIP, but we might grow from a little lump of coal into a genuine burr under someone's saddle (Live in hope, right?)
    A puzzling statement....No western democracy has accepted UNDRIP, nor have they rejected it.... not the USA, Canada thus far has not accepted it.
    Its a BC thing, just wondering why you think otherwise?

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    region 9
    Posts
    11,487

    Re: BCWF Election Questions and the Liberals' Response

    Thanks for posting Rob....they need to start addressing our wildlife & habitat concerns by putting all hunting & tag revenue back into wildlife & habitat...before the previous election I had that discussion with Steve Thompson and it sounded like that was the direction that they were planning on taking....

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •