North Islanders joined in the province-wide rallies asking the province to stop the logging of old growth forests.
The rally took place in front of North Island MLA Michele Babchuk’s office in downtown Campbell River. The event was part of the “United for Old Growth” day of action to demand politicians uphold the 2020 Old Growth Strategic Review plan.
The plan included recommendations to immediately defer logging in biologically diverse areas.
According to the demonstrators, the province has not implemented any of the recommendations in the plan, which according to a February provincial news release was to be done by the end of 2023.
“We’re experiencing a climate emergency… and it’s time that we really do an honest re-think about how we manage forests in British Columbia, “said Anna Hooper, one of the demonstrators on Thursday.” I want the NDP to stand up and make good on their word that they would defer old growth logging. They’re not following their own recommendations.”
“Actions to accelerate implementation of the Old Growth Strategic Review during the next year include: … completing the Old Growth Strategic Action Plan by the end of 2023, to be developed in collaboration with First Nations and in consultation with stakeholders,” the February release says.
The provincial government returns to the legislature on Oct. 3, and the demonstrators hope that these rallies help bring the issue to the government’s attention.
“We want the MLAs to sit up and take notice,” said event organizer Richard Hagensen.
The demonstrators did reach out to MLA Michele Babchuk, but Hagensen said they had not received a response.
The Mirror has reached out to Babchuk’s office for comment.
RELATED: Old growth forest counter-rallies converge on the streets of Campbell River