CRANBROOK – Local workers need a premier who will fight for a fair softwood lumber agreement after years of neglect from Christy Clark and the B.C. Liberals, said B.C. New Democrat Leader John Horgan.

“Christy Clark knew the softwood lumber agreement was going to expire, and she chose to focus on pleasing her rich donors instead of fighting for B.C. resource workers,” said Horgan. “After 16 years of neglect from the B.C. Liberals we’ve lost 30,000 good-paying, family-supporting forestry jobs in communities like Cranbrook, and across the province.”

Horgan was touring the Galloway Lumber Company, a Cranbrook mill that has been slammed by the softwood lumber dispute, putting 45 direct jobs and up to 50 support jobs at risk.

“Unlike Christy Clark, I’m ready to fight for B.C. forestry jobs. I will go to Washington myself to get a fair deal for B.C. workers,” said Horgan. “And in the meantime I will work to grow domestic demand for B.C. wood products and to grow the engineered wood industry so that we can bring back jobs that disappeared because of Christy Clark’s neglect of the industry.

“We’re going to support B.C. forestry workers and B.C. forestry jobs by building schools and hospitals across the province, using B.C. wood. And we will restore and replant forest lands to create jobs today and secure jobs for tomorrow.

“British Columbians voted for new leadership. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work on making life more affordable for British Columbians, delivering the services people need and creating good-jobs across the province. Together, we’re going to strengthen B.C.’s forestry industry for families and communities.”