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Letter to the editor: Bill 4 Threatens the integrity of B.C. parks

Bill 4 threatens the integrity of B.C.’s parks by opening the door for “research” into park boundary changes.

Bill 4 threatens the integrity of B.C.’s parks by opening the door for “research” into park boundary changes to make way for industrial development including pipelines, highways, transmission lines and mining.

Wildsight and partner groups met with Ministry Environment staff who told us that Bill 4 was brought forward to make it easier for film crews, who already get permits in parks, and that ministry policies would assure that research approvals and boundary changes would require “consideration” of park values before moving ahead. However, this is not what the Bill says. It specifically opens the door for research into boundary changes for industrial development.

Government representatives have stated that industrial activities are not to be allowed in parks. Bill 4 allows industrial research in order to more easily take land out of parks to allow the activities. “Research” that would be approved by Bill 4 is aimed at boundary changes so that development can take place when parks are replaced by land open to industrial development.

Please take action now for our parks by letting the Minister know of your concerns. There is still an opportunity to get rid of Bill 4 by letting the Minister know that you care about our parks and do not want to see research and boundary alterations for industrial development.

John Bergenske,

Executive Director, Wildsight