Question 3: What do you think is the right path for the Skeena Quality Waters Strategy?
Conservatives, Clay Harmon: The Quality Waters Strategy is a province-wide process that aims to maintain and improve the angling experiences offered in B.C.’s waters, by managing angler-use. This is a provincial matter with DFO involvement on an advisory committee only.
NDP, Nathan Cullen: This was a process set up by the provincial government probably with the best of intentions but it went sideways quickly. Better valuing our wild fish should be at the centre of any plan and guaranteeing local access to local fish is integral to that plan.
Canadian Action Party, Maggie Braun: Upon a short review of the Skeena Quality Waters Strategy issues, my first thought is how much easier and cost effective this could have been for everyone involved.
We own the Canada Post, and could easily have sent a survey to all licence fishermen and guides who reside in this region.
After the response is in and we determine if there is a problem and what those concerned wish to have done about it, we would move forward from there.
Greens, Roger Benham: I am not an angler and would only comment that I would hope that all is done to protect our resources, to not allow overfishing, to only allow catch and release if it is proven to not harm the fishes, to ensure that nowhere is overfishing allowed including out at sea.
Christian Heritage Party, Rod Taylor: Many people have put countless hours of work into this process in an attempt to develop guidelines that will preserve fish and habitat, the quality of the fishing experience, the protocols for interaction between angling guides, visiting anglers and other B.C. and Canadian resident anglers.
I can’t comment on the details of all the recommendations which are quite complex but the important thing that must be remembered is that the fish belong to all the people of Canada. Private interests must not distort the purpose of regulations which should make a quality fishing experience available to as many Canadians as possible.
Question four: What is the single most important issue you feel faces the Bulkley Valley?
Conservatives, Clay Harmon: The Skeena Bulkley Valley Electoral District is very large with many diverse interest groups. The different regions have different single most important issues. On the Coast I hear about employment and the fishery. Moving inland the issues revolve around the economy and jobs. A little further east and the transportation infrastructure become important. In the eastern part of the riding the main topic I hear from people seems to be health care issues and the need to attract qualified medical staff to the north. Infrastructure related to energy required for the mining industry seems to be in the north and far east parts of the riding.
NDP, Nathan Cullen: Stewardship and control of our natural resources. We can better manage our economy than Ottawa or Victoria and the people of the northwest know how to balance a resource economy. It’s a false choice when folks say you have to pick between a job or keeping our air and water clean and folks in the northwest know it. We can renew our mining, forestry, and fishing sectors with some real investment and create new jobs that were unimaginable even a few years ago.
Canadian Action Party, Maggie Braun: The people of the Bulkley Valley have always impressed me with their strength, positivity and awareness of issues which concern all Canadians. I believe they care about family, keeping a roof over their heads, food on their table and protecting their rights from government intrusion and Canadian sovereignty from the hands of multinationals. They are a true breed of Canadians whose selflessness shines throughout their communities. I believe above all they want Canadian politicians to represent Canadian interests and the interests of our future generation. “
Greens, Roger Benham: To prepare for uncertain times ahead due to gradual financial breakdown as the world discovers that resources are not inexhaustible and global warming increasingly changes the world in which we live and to expand our self-sufficiency to cope with what all this will bring.
Christian Heritage Party, Rod Taylor: Dealing with unresolved land claims issues and establishing clearer communications protocols with First Nations must be very near the top. Another important issue is helping young people develop skills and a worldview that will help them succeed, not only on the job but in life, marriage and in parenting the next generation. All young people should come out of high school with the ability to read, follow clear instructions from an employer and perform unsupervised work. Not all students will go on to post-secondary schooling but all will have to find work and be able to hold down a job.