Simpson Chops Coleman
PODCAST: NDP critic calls shuffled forest minister 'worst in BC history.'
Bob Simpson, NDP critic for Forests and Range.
Trees and Us
- Trees and Us
- Why Humans and Nature Collide
- Why Rocket Science Is Easier than Forestry
- Tree Love and Murder
- Building Treeless Houses
- BC's Vanishing Timber Worker
- BC's Eco-Activist 'Rock Star'
- Green Is The New Black
- A Certified Forest Saviour
- Beyond 'Molly's Reach'
- Simpson Chops Coleman
- Velcrow Ripper's 'Fierce Light'
- Reviving Forest Protests in BC
- Leiren-Young and His 'Green Chain'
- Betty Krawczyk, Proud Fanatic
- How Adbusters Grew on Trees
- He Sees Our Hot Future
- 'Wild Foresting'
- Ken Wu Wants to Save 'the Avatar Grove'
- Patrick Moore, Proud Heretic
[Editor's note: This is the latest in Leiren-Young's series of podcast conversations with people who have a relationship -- political, economic, spiritual -- with trees. To find the rest, go here. Leiren-Young's feature film about forests and people, The Green Chain, is screening internationally and garnering honours.]
Say so long to Rich Coleman as minister of Forests and Range, after Monday's cabinet shuffle handed Pat Bell the portfolio for the BC Liberals.
One person who won't shed a tear for Coleman's departure is Bob Simpson, B.C.'s opposition critic for Forests and Range. In fact, the NDP MLA from Cariboo North believes the Liberals responded to the worst crisis in the history of B.C.'s forests with the worst forest minister in B.C.'s history.
Goodbye song
Earlier this month, when the Victoria-based Dogwood Initiative called for Coleman's resignation, it was Simpson who presented their petition, signed by 2200 people, to the B.C. legislature. NDP MLAs -- including Simpson -- were convinced Coleman was a lame duck minister and ended the legislative session by serenading him with chants of "na, na goodbye."
For anyone thinking that interviewing the NDP critic instead of the Liberal minister is an example of The Tyee's "bias," I first requested an interview with Coleman on Dec. 4, 2007.
Coleman's communications manager, Vivian Thomas, never responded to phone calls or e-mails since asking how she could assist me with arranging interviews back in December 2007. Thomas has also ignored my requests to interview ministry staffers, including the province's chief forester and the research ecologist who runs the province's "Big Trees Registry."
When I requested an interview with Simpson, his office responded the next day. This podcast interview for the Trees and Us series was conducted three weeks ago in Vancouver.
Related Tyee stories:
- Surfers versus Suburb
As Coleman's land deal is probed, a wave of anger builds. - How Island Elk Range Was Stripped of Protection
Province excused forest firm from preserving key habitat. - Forest Minister's Brother High in Firm Granted Tree Farm Deal
WFP's Stan Coleman: 'no involvement' with brother Rich's move to help his company.
![[Tyee]](http://thetyee.cachefly.net/ui/img/ico_fishie.png){kind=small}
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DPL
3 years ago
Bob Simpson wiped the floor
Bob Simpson wiped the floor with Coleman on a regular basis. The guy knows the business and Coleman knows little about anything. He now has upset a lof of people living in modular, trailers and manufactured homes by telling them a untruth. It was the Liberals that removed the requirement of a park owners to pay up to 10,000 dollars a unit if shutting down the place. he aslo told them it was his governemtn that brought in the one years notice. Coleman is a big bluffer and folks like Bob Simpson look like a fool. Come to think of it Colman is dumb
DPL
3 years ago
I missed a word . I intended
I missed a word . I intended to write Bob Simpson makes Coleman look like a fool
Grumpy
3 years ago
Why then.......
.......if Coleman is so inept, so untruthful, Campbell keep him in cabinet? Does he have photographs or something?
One of the worst MLA's (Delta's Val Roddick is the worst) in Victoria, Coleman should disappear into the bleak dark backbench, never to come out again.
BC Mary
3 years ago
Image of a troubled person
Recently I was watching the Hansard video of Rich Coleman in debates during the Spring session of the BC Legislature.
Body english is sometimes as informative as the words being spoken.
See if you agree that Coleman presents himself as a person in acute distress. If I had to guess, I'd say he feels trapped and helpless and is fighting for personal survival.
Fiat lux
3 years ago
Bob Simpson is our MLA and I
Bob Simpson is our MLA and I know him very well. Had breakfast and a nice long chat with him a few weeks ago.
A former BCLiberal and Weldwood exec., who first helped to elect Campbell, he's now one of the most astute, conscientious and intelligent opponents of this morally corrupt government, totally in the pocket of big business, selling off the province without even any consultation, let alone permission by the owners, the citizens of BC., or even telling the owners what they've sold and for what?
Apart from cosy, past Olympics directorships for a selected few?
Bob lives in this area and can see how it and its people are being destroyed and depopulated by the disastrous pine bug and Campbell government combination, with the big corporations who now control the industry, waiting for imported labour, so they can get rid of their remaining Canadian workers, under the secretly negotiated SPP and NAU treaties.
But then, what else can we expect from the Reform Party now ruling the country from coast to coast, under various other names and disguises?
Ed Deak. Big Lake.
biscotti
3 years ago
Bob rocks
Bob Simpson is simply the best MLA I've ever had. Not only does he show up at an incredible number of events and meetings in our riding, he and his staff take a great deal of initiative. Put this level of engagement and consultation together with clear policy and analysis and we in Cariboo-North are very fortunate indeed.
SharingIsGood
3 years ago
agree BC Mary
From my perspective, Coleman has had a look of apprehension about him shortly after getting the forestry portfolio. His blood pressure looks as if it is sky high.
I'll go a step further, and say that the majority of Campbell's cabinet ministers have often had the look of a deer in the headlights or a child trying to explain how/why the lamp in the living room got broken. It's the ministers who don't look like that who scare me the most.
It is going to be interesting to watch our new old Economic Minister trying to explain the merits of the gas tax.
Fiat lux
3 years ago
The gas tax has great
The gas tax has great economic merits and benefits, as it permits businesses to jack up the already daily rising prices and profits even more, laughing all the way to the bank.
This is why the owners of the BCLib government permitted Campbell to bring it in.
Ed Deak.
Skywalker
3 years ago
Right on DPL.
Coleman's favorite line when he was Forest Minister was "There is nothing I or the government can do." As soon as he was sworn into his new portfolio he said the same thing to the folks in a trailer park closure. Great start for him. You wonder when he will ever find he can do something besides repeat the liberal spin.
Stump
3 years ago
that's no lie!
To be fair, they are a rather inept bunch and that statement rings true for me.
greengreen
3 years ago
But don't forget what they
But don't forget what they did when Kevin don't f... with Royalty Falcon was not able to get a cab to Surrey late one night. A Bill Of Rights conceived, developed and passed in the House> Efficiency at its best!
RickW
3 years ago
Speaking of Simpsons:
http://www.cbc.ca/earlyedition/
Shane Simpson, NDP MLA for Vancouver Hastings and environment critic made mincemeat of Environment Minister Barry Penner Friday morning (27/06/08) on CBC radio's The Early Edition. Question I have is: Why do senior cabinet ministers in this Liberal government, consistently come off sounding as thought they are wound up on caffeine (or maybe that white "booger sugar")?
DPL
3 years ago
RichW wonders about Liberal
RichW wonders about Liberal cabinet ministers being wound up. The Liberals used to have a massive majority and could do just about anything they wanted to do, so why learn the job as a Minister. Last time around although maintaining a majority they still figure they can say and do what they want.That is as long as Gordo runs the show, the deputies report to him not their minister . No wonder the ministers don't have much of a understanding of the jobs for which they get paid big dollars. Only one guy is in charge and it sure as heck not them. Listen to Stan the man Hagen sometimes if you really want to hear ignorance in action. But they don't really care as the large cheque keeps coming and if they fall apart, well the pension is rather massive.
The critics have to dig for information , work with the locals and get a solid handle on their jobs.