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'The north is special': B.C. Liberal Leader discusses variety of topics during Prince George visit

Andrew Wilkinson didn't hold back when calling out the B.C. NDP
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MLA Mike Morris and Shirley Bond welcomed B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson to Prince George this morning (May 24). (via Jessica Fedigan)

While many topics are at the forefront of B.C. politics, the leader of the official opposition party had a lot to say during a Prince George visit this morning (May 24). 

Andrew Wilkinson is in the northern region, with stops in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Prince George and Williams Lake. 

In areas of the interior, including Prince George, the forestry industry is a large concern, especially with closures of mills in cities like Quesnel and others having to curtail their output. 

"I think all of us in British Columbia are concerned about these mill closures and curtailments," Wilkinson said. "They are happening all over the province but particularly in the north. It's a real worry and we need to figure out what the midterm timber supply is going to be so people can plan their lives. Getting hit with these surprises is not in anybody's interests." 

Wilkinson believes the B.C. NDP has done little to help the struggling industry.

"We've seen the NDP bring in a very high handed Bill 22," he said. "It's paid no concerns in regards to the industry. It's a changing industry in British Columbia and having people from Victoria with no experience in the north dictating the future of the forest industry is not going to work." 

The B.C. Liberal leader added the north is a vital part of the province, something he said the current government doesn't understand while making decisions that impact the north directly. 

"The north is special," Wilkinson said. "It's two-thirds of the land area in British Columbia; it's fundamental to our future. There is a very strong resource economy that is understood and respected by government and that's what we do as the B.C. Liberals, is widely represent the interior and be fully aware of these issues in resource development and the way of life."

Undoubtedly, one of the largest discussions across the province is about gas prices. Prices at the pump have skyrocketed the past few months and Wilkinson said prices are out of control.

"There is something wrong here," he said. "It boils down to constraints, picking fights with Alberta for no good reason and taxes. The NDP has put together this inquiry, we're not allowed to talk about pipelines and taxes. The whole thing is a sham and John Horgan is actually going to wear this for a long time because people are getting very fed up." 

Wilkinson has been the leader of the BC. Liberals after Christy Clark was ousted as premier in the last provincial election. 

"I took on this job 16 months ago," he said. "It's gone remarkably well with a lot of caucus support and caucus unity. We're holding the NDP to account and the NDP are making a lot of high-handed arrogant mistakes."

The landscape of B.C. politics also involves the relationship with Alberta. Wilkinson said Horgan needs to clean up the mess he says has been created between the two provinces.

"We've said a number of times, John Horgan needs to get in a plane to Edmonton and make peace with Alberta," he said. "More than a million British Columbians used to live in Alberta, including me. They are our neighbours and they should be our best friends. Those two premiers are now in the process of making us the worst enemies. This is totally unproductive for Canada. It is not what should be happening between our two western provinces and it's up to Premier Horgan to make amends and fix things. He started all these fights, it's up to him to stop them."