
Vaughn Palmer
VICTORIA — Premier David Eby offered the usual government solution to this week’s news of the permanent closure of pulp production at the Canfor mill in Prince George. Eby expressed sympathy for the 300 workers who’ll lose their jobs add said the government is dispatching a crisis response team to the community. The team will offer “training, transitioning to retirement, or other supports,” the premier told reporters in Vancouver on Thursday. …Eby did hint at more encouraging relief, when he was asked about the proposal from a coalition of pulp and paper producers for a “value-added transformation” of the industry. …“In terms of the specific proposals around support for innovation, we’ll have more to say in the coming days,” Eby said of the coalition submission. The premier is scheduled to deliver two major speeches on forest and resource themes next week — to the 20th annual B.C. Natural Resources forum and the annual convention of the Truck Loggers Association.
The Canfor board includes former NDP Premier Glen Clark. …Clark is also a lifelong New Democrat, who has lately offered to help the current government. “I’m not desperate for work or anything.” he told Jas Johal on CKNW this week. “I’m just saying I’m prepared and interested, but it’s up to others to decide whether they think I can help.” Eby said “that’s great news, and I look forward to working with him.” …But oh, to be a fly on the wall if Eby dared to ask Clark for advice on what to do in the forest sector.