For Immediate Release ö Tuesday, June 5, 2001

WCWC grants new Government "honeymoon chance" to prove itself

Notes that the phrase "...strong environment protection" appears twice in Premier's two page press release announcing new Ministries and Ministers

"We always give a new government and new Ministers a chance," said Paul George, founder of the 27,000 member strong Western Canada Wilderness Committee. "We begin with optimism that they will do what is right to cherish and safeguard BC's fragile environment and wealth of biodiversity." asserted George.

"BC now has two ministries dealing with environmental protection the Ministry of Land, Air and Water Protection and the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management," observed George, who was trying to make sense of the BC Liberals move to expand cabinet to 28 positions including seven "Ministers of State" who appear to have full Cabinet privileges equal to Ministers.

Joe Foy, Andrea Reimer and Paul George, the Wilderness Committee Executive Team Members, are requesting meetings as soon as possible with the Honourable Stan Hagen, Minister of Sustainable Resources, the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection, and the new Minister of Forests, the Honourable Michael de Jong.

"We wish to take Premier Campbell up on his pledge to run a government 'open, accessible and accountable'," commented Joe Foy.

"Truly sustainable development is not an easy path. We must not inadvertently cause irreparable environmental harm in the pursuit of deregulation and economic revitalization. The environmental problems of species extinction, global warming and climate change are truly daunting," concluded George, who wished the new government all the best in the months and years ahead.

For more information contact:
Paul George (604) 683-8220
Joe Foy (604) 880-2580