NDP leadership candidate John Horgan called for timber rights reform and rolling back some of the sweeping forest policy changes the Liberals introduced in the middle of the last decade.
During a campaign stopover in Prince George Thursday, Horgan said it is time to restore the connection between communities and timber.
Horgan said he would establish a group of industry, First Nation, union and academic leaders to come up with tenure reform ideas.
"Fundamentally, forests have been the lifeblood of the province. The wealth in urban British Columbia is a direct result of the wealth that's generated in rural B.C. -- and we need to reconnect that value, not just ship it to shareholders, but ensure that people in communities benefit from it and the Crown gets a reasonable return," said Horgan.
The B.C. Liberals introduced sweeping forestry reforms in 2002, they said were aimed at introducing more market forces to the industry. The changes included removing government oversight on timber rights sales and mergers, as well as loosening up regulations that tied timber to particular mills.
Following the sweeping changes, there was a flurry of consolidations that left just three major forest companies holding the vast majority of timber rights and responsibilities in B.C.'s Interior and the North. They were Canfor, West Fraser and Tolko.
However, the Liberals also clawed back timber rights from the major companies, the first B.C. government to do so, a move meant to open up access to smaller, diverse players. The timber was added to a pool put up for open bid, as well as redistributed to First Nations and communities.
Horgan, who is opposed to the harmonized sales tax, has also called for a fair tax commission, meant to take a broader look at the tax system.
The NDP has not traditionally been viewed as a friend of business, but Horgan said he wants to see investment in the province.
"In my world, there is a strong and robust private sector, but it has to come with some conditions. Those conditions are respect your workers, respect the regulatory regime and pay some taxes," said Horgan.
He commended newly-minted Premier Christy Clark for introducing a minimum wage hike this week.
Horgan recently received support from NDP MLA Harry Lali, who dropped out of the leadership race.
Other candidates include NDP MLAs Mike Farnworth, Adrian Dix and Nicholas Simons. Pot activist Dana Larsen is also in the race.
The NDP leadership contest became necessary after leader Carole James stepped down in the face of a revolt from one third of her caucus, including Lali.
The NDP leadership candidates will be in Prince George for an evening public debate on April 4 at the Coast Inn of the North.
