Roy L Hales/ CKTX News - There were two opposing logging protests in Campbell River, last Thursday.
According to Quadra Island resident Rod Burns, by the time they reached MLA Michele Babchuk’s office there would have been close to 30 people protesting in support of old growth forests. This group assembled at the Logger Mike statue. Burns was among the half a dozen, or so, that crossed over from Quadra Island. There were Campbell River residents, as well as people from Comox, Courtenay and possibly someone from Cortes Island. (Cortes Currents received an email stating the last cited individual’s intention.)
Burns said, “When we got through the [Tyee] parking lot, I looked over to my right and, oh my goodness, there was a contingent of approximately 100 forest workers, partners, a few dogs, and three logging trucks.”
He found the presence of five placard toting City Counsellors among them – Charlie Cornfield, Kermit Dahl, Colleen Evans, Ron Kerr and Sean Smyth – disconcerting.
“I though council would be trying to be neutral, and hearing all sides of the issue, but this is definitely not the case. Council definitely did not want to hear the old growth retention people,” he said.
The two groups proceeded to the joint offices of MLA Michele Babchuk and MP Rachel Blaney.
“We’re having a forestry support rally for Campbell River, coming out to support the forest industry, our families and our communities,“ Carl Sweet, a Campbell River resident and Director of the BC Forestry Alliance, told the Campbell River Mirror.
He pointed back to the pro-industry contingent, “There is a sign down there that says forestry feeds my family. It built Campbell River. Campbell River will cease to exist as we know it today, without forestry.”
“We’re not against logging, we’re against current forestry practises, because forests feed many families,” responded Burns.
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