MP Zimmer Denounces Signing of the Caribou Partnership Agreement

OTTAWA – Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies, issued the following statement regarding the signing of the caribou partnership agreement:

“I am extremely disappointed in today’s announcement that the caribou partnership agreement has been signed without any real consultation with local leadership. This was done without formally consulting our mayors and councils, our regional district directors, our local Members of Legislative Assembly, myself as the local Member of Parliament, our local industry and other local First Nations.

“Despite continued requests to be a part of this process, our local leaders have officially been kept out of the room.

“This agreement has sent a shudder through Northeastern BC. From mining to forestry to oil and gas, snowmobiling and users of the backcountry: our livelihoods and access to our backcountry is now in question.

“We’ve been given a very clear signal from the Liberal government in Ottawa and the NDP government in Victoria that our opinion doesn’t matter. They have both chosen to completely ignore our local input, including those with expertise in caribou, during the public engagement process, as well as the growing concerns expressed by those living in the area.

“‘Success always demands a greater effort.’ – Winston Churchill

“We are prepared to do exactly that.”

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