For Immediate Release ö Friday, May 5, 2001

Wilderness Committee challenges BC MLA candidates to respond to environmental survey

"People want to know where their candidate stands on issues like clean air, pure water, endangered species, clearcut logging and salmon habitat protection. Our members tell us they want to be informed when they go to the ballot box, and this survey will help voters make an educated choice about matters that are very important to all British Columbians", remarked Western Canada Wilderness Committee (WCWC) Director Joe Foy.

WCWC, Canada's largest membership-based citizen-funded wilderness preservation organization, recently sent out a survey to MLA candidates who are running in the upcoming BC provincial election. Last week candidates from the NDP, Liberal, Green, Unity and Marijuana Parties received the survey which contains 13 critical environmental questions. This survey includes hotly contested issues such as the proposed "working forest" legislation, protection of community watersheds, the grizzly bear moratorium and forest tenure reform.

The survey, sent out April 30, 2001, was undertaken to determine, and make public, the position of candidates on environmental issues in BC. WCWC is continuing a tradition that began in 1991 when they published their first provincial election environmental survey titled the Faceless Ones. "Our first survey was very successful, we had a good return rate and our members indicated how helpful it was in informing them about a candidates' position. The Wilderness Committee undertakes these surveys to educate our members and help voters in making an informed decision at the polling booth." commented Foy.

The survey deadline is Monday May 7, 2001, but results are already being posted at WCWC's website at www.wildernesscommittee.org.

For more information contact:
Joe Foy, WCWC Director (604) 880-2580 (c)
Gwen Barlee, Survey Coordinator (604) 683-8220