Editor:
As reported in the Interior News (Clark’s right hand man speaks in Smithers – Oct. 5), MLA John Les, who is parliamentary secretary to the premier, touched on the topic of resource revenue sharing with local communities. I agree with Mr. Les that this is a good idea. We in the northwest want to see it happen. Mr. Les specifically brought up the examples of the Fair Share program in the northeast, and the Columbia Basin Trust in the Kootenays, as mechanisms for sharing of provincial resource revenue with communities nearby where development takes place. Both those mechanisms were introduced under a provincial NDP government 20 years ago. In the last decade of the B.C. Liberal government no such mechanisms have been created in the northwest, despite ample opportunity.
In his presentation, Mr. Les also spoke about the need for better education opportunities so the people living here can have the best shot at the jobs resource development will bring. Again I agree with Mr. Les but unfortunately his government’s actions do not back up his words.
Access to colleges and universities has been severely hampered by the BC Liberal’s decision to cut the student grants program for instance, and the apprenticeship program for trades training is shell of its former self under this government.
I advocate for resource revenue sharing and better educational opportunities for our area as the Stikine MLA. These are not just words. Under an NDP government in Victoria there will be action.
Doug Donaldson
MLA Stikine