I take exception to the blanket belief that BC Conservatives have no care, or concern, for the environment

Photograph by Alan Forseth (near Vernon)

The other day as I mentioned to my Facebook friends, I took a walk through the neighbourhood, and went door to door with the latest BC Conservative Party brochure. Overall, with the folks who were home, the reception I received was great and only two people said “No” to taking a brochure – one politely – the other, not so much.

The one who was less than receptive for some reason had the impression that BC Conservatives had no concern for the environment. This person said they had lived here all their life (as have I) ... they had raised their children here (as have I) ... and their grand-children are here (again as are mine).

Photograph by Alan Forseth (Cariboo Hwy south of Clinton)

I love the outdoors of BC ... I grew up in the Cariboo and every week I'd head out into the outlying areas to enjoy nature ... to go canoeing ... to simply see what there was to see around the next bend.

As a teen in the Cariboo I saw no end of wildlife from grouse and ducks ... to bear, moose, and deer ... along with some great tasting fish.

That is why I take exception to the blanket belief that BC Conservatives have no care, or concern, for the environment.

For example, two woman that I personally know (and not family members) are two of the staunchest environmentalists you could ever meet.  However I do also have family members and friends that hunt and fish, and who rely on the protection of our environment to be able to enjoy these pastimes.

Photograph by Alan Forseth (along
the Kettle Valley Railway Trail)

I also love to photograph the beauty of BC --- the wildflowers ... the fields ... the lakes, creeks and rivers ... the mountains ... trees and shrubs ... even some of the weeds make beautiful photographs.

I am PROUD TO SAY I am a member of the BC Conservative Party ... and the members of our political party no more want to see the beauty around us destroyed, than anyone else – regardless of WHAT party they are part of.

Now ... just for clarity if you have any wondering yourself ... let's take a look at some of the Guiding Principles and Policies, of the BC Conservative Party, regarding the environment:

ARTICLE 1. Guiding Principles

1.1 The new BC Conservative Party is founded on and will be guided in its policy formation by the following principles:

1.1.6. We believe in:

• a competitive free enterprise system as the basis for prosperity and growth.
• protection and management of our environment and natural resources to optimize benefits now and into the future.

ARTICLE 7. Environment.

7.1. Preamble.

We recognize that BC’s diverse environmental assets are the envy of much of the world and should be preserved and protected, and that environmental and fiscal sustainability and optimization should be the hallmark of a government’s policy. To ensure this, our government will work with the public, landowners, involved business interests and other stakeholder groups.

7.2 The BC Conservative Party supports Conserving British Columbia’s Environment by:

• balancing economic development opportunities with environmental protection.
• Encouraging conservation of water taken from lakes or rivers for agricultural, industrial and domestic purposes.
• Imposing strict regulation of toxic effluents produced by industry.
• Recognizing the value of parks to society and protect these areas from intrusive activities while improving access for all British Columbian's.
• Supporting the use of a single, joint federal and provincial environmental review process when appropriate.
• Recognizing the importance of hunters and fishers to British Columbia’s tourism and conservation, we will undertake to protect hunters and fishers rights, while at the same time ensuring British Columbia’s fish and wildlife populations are managed in a sustainable manner.
• In all ways carry out responsible, fact-based stewardship of the environment. The government will base its decisions on the best available scientific data.

Photograph by Alan Forseth (Thompson
River near Walhachin)

ARTICLE 10. Natural Resources.

In recognition of the government’s responsibility to facilitate proper stewardship of both renewable resources (forestry, fisheries, wildlife, etc) and non-renewable resources such as hydro-carbons and minerals, the BC Conservative Party supports:

10.1 Overall Principles.

• Acknowledging the prosperity of many BC communities and the provincial economy as a whole is dependent upon the responsible utilization of our abundant natural resources.
• balancing responsible environmental and taxation policies to encourage those activities best able to thrive and prosper in the diverse regions of our province.
• Recognizing that the natural resources are owned by all British Columbian's and managed on their behalf by the Government. No community or group should be allowed to veto the development of these resources which are owned by all British Columbian's.

10.2.1. Protecting the forest land base in perpetuity by retaining all Crown forest land in public ownership, to ensure the generation of wealth and benefits for all British Columbian's.

10.3.1. The commercial and sports fisheries are a crucial component of British Columbia's economy and the government must be an advocate for BC Fisheries.

10.3.2. The protection of salmon and their habitat is a federal responsibility but the provincial government should take every means necessary to ensure that the federal government fulfils its constitutional mandate in these areas.

10.4.2. Review organizational structures, staffing levels and funding and ensure adequacy as required for effective, efficient and competent research, inventory and management of B.C.’s fish and wildlife resources. Given the geographic vastness and complexity of B.C., we will increase enforcement staff and resources to match the task of overseeing compliance with wildlife, hunting, trapping and fisheries regulations.

I think it is pretty clear that the protection of the environment is not something that is exclusive to any one political party. Anyone that would say so, or who has that belief, is obviously VERY WRONG!

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops, with the thoughts of one conservative. If you have a thought on this topic you'd like to share, please feel free to do so.