A trio of Comox Valley politicians headed to Fairy Creek Monday to support the protest of old-growth logging in the area near Port Renfrew.
“We are lending our support as people who understand the threat that logging has to our watershed,” said Arzeena Hamir, Area B director of the Comox Valley Regional District. She is joined by Area A director Daniel Arbour, and Comox Coun. Nicole Minions. “Our own Comox Lake and Langley Lake drinking water sources are under threat. We need to do forestry differently in B.C. This is not the legacy we want to leave our children and grandchildren.”
Hundreds of people have gathered in the area around Fairy Creek. Police have made many arrests since enforcing a court injunction that prohibits blockades on a tree farm licence.
READ: 300 protesters hike in to Vancouver Island old-growth logging camps
According to the Fairy Creek Blockade Facebook page, 70 per cent of the cut blocks in the Caycuse watershed have been destroyed.
Minions attended as a disappointed provincial voter and community member along with nine other elected officials across Vancouver Island. She felt privileged to purchase food supplies and hike 23 kilometres up to Waterfalls Camp.
“Thanking the young adults and elders fighting for our forests in person was something I needed to do,” said Minions, who recently joined the Courtenay-Comox provincial Green Party riding executive. “Watching a dozen people get arrested at an exorbitant cost to the taxpayers was eye opening. As local government officials, we were allowed to remain and cross the injunction line to visit a camp. I return home invigorated — with sore calfs and new inspiration.”
She said the Comox Valley watershed — like the remaining old-growth forests — needs protection.
“Forestry management and reform is needed today and not in 2023. Truth and Reconciliation with our indigenous First Nations must be a foundational priority of the government at all three levels.”
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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