In the waning days of its provincial mandate, outgoing Energy Minister, Bill Bennett announced a BCLiberals plan to create, if re-elected, an “independent wildlife agency” that could make politically unpalatable decisions regarding wildlife “management.” And though couched in the language of conservation, in essence what that “management” means is continued recreational hunts of Grizzly Bear, and expanded culls against the top predator populations of Cougar and Wolves.
In a March 22nd press conference, now-retired East-Kootenay MLA, Bill Bennett proposed a $5 million start-up budget for the “expert and stakeholders” operated agency that would be funded using the near 10 million dollars in hunting licenses and fees collected annually.
Bennett said, the idea is to “get politics out of the way,” but some of the “stakeholders” not invited to participate promise, politics will happen!
Dr. Alan Burger is Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Victoria. He’s also professional wildlife consultant, based in the interior town of Merritt, B.C.
Alan Burger in the first half.
And; in the run-up to the provincial poll, BC Hydro Chair, Brad Bennett, grandson to the Grandaddy of dam builders, W.A.C. Bennett warned the electorate to beware of “fake news” when it comes to Site C saying,
“I take issue with the fake news crowd, talking about Site C and whether it’s needed or not. The fact is it’s needed. We know it’s needed. Our forecasting shows that very, very clearly.”
With all due respect to the Chair, there are many, many for whom that need is not very, very clear.
Ken Boon is a Peace River Valley farmer whose multi-generation family farm is in the way of Site C. He’s long argued Site C is not only not needed, but is too a massive mistake that will prove a white elephant for the province for generations to come. Boon is president of the Peace Valley Landowners Association and a past target of BC Hydro legal actions.
Ken Boon and Site C fakery in the second half.
And; CFUV Radio broadcaster, Janine Bandcroft will join us virtually at the bottom of hour to bring us up to speed with some of what’s good going and planned for the coming week around here. But first, Alan Burger and minding the proposed minders in BC’s wilds.
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Wednesday, 1-2pm Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: http://cfuv.ca. He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, http://www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.ca/