Forestry Policy is Crony Capitalism

This letter to the editor appeared in four CanadaEast papers last week:


To the editor,

It is very hard to understand the Graham government's position on Crown land management for forestry.

With the way this government pushes for private-public partnerships, one would expect them to design policy that promotes a "purchase-from-private-woodlots-first" agenda for mills, which was the case under Richard Hatfield. Instead, Shawn Graham and the Liberals have decided to take my share (as a tax paying New Brunswicker) of Crown land wood, manage it in ways that seems at odds with a 2007 Federal Government survey ("Public views on forest management in New Brunswick: report from a provincial survey,") and use it to compete against the sale of wood from my woodlot and the private woodlots of a large number of New Brunswickers.

With the plan to decrease conservation areas and increase subsidies for sivilculture on Crown lands (having recently cut these subsidies for private woodlot owners), it is difficult to see the Graham government's plan as anything more than crony capitalism or corporate welfare.

Rob Moir

Clifton Royal

Jack Layton at UNB Fredericton this Monday!

Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton will be visiting Fredericton, New Brunswick this coming Monday, February 16th. The event is hosted by Roger Duguay, leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party. The highlight of Mr. Layton's visit will be a public talk at the University of New Brunswick at 7pm in the Kent Auditorium of the Wu Conference Centre.

Mr. Layton's discussion will be focused on Canada's current economic downturn, and what needs to be done in order safe-guard and stimulate Canada's economy.

Event details:

Who: Jack Layton, Roger Duguay
What: An Evening With Jack Layton
Where: University of New Brunswick, Fredericton Campus - Wu Conference Centre, Kent Auditorium, 6 Duffie Drive.
When: Monday, February 16, 7pm

The Fundy Royal NDP team encourages all who are interested to take this rare opportunity to share time with a federal party Leader. We hope to see you there.