A2 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, April 5, 2000 Civil servants need freedom to ive opinions, they say MLA, Lib leader attack suspension CEVIL SERVANTS must have the freedom to com- ment on policies adopted by their ministries, says Skeena NDP MLA Helmut Giesbrecht. And their viewpoints must get up to the top level where decisions are made, he said. Giesbrecht made the comments after local en- vironment ministry biolo- gist Dionys de Leeuw was suspended without pay for two weeks for writing a re- port questioning the pro- vince’s management of the bear population. “He just wants a discus- sion with his colleagues and supervisors,” said Giesbrecht in criticizing the action taken against de Leeuw. “If you can’t have a dis- cussion, there’s a problem.” Giesbrecht said the idea of free discussion came ‘through in talks with civil servants during his short stint as public service minister. “There has to be a way to penctrate that impene- trable membrane that se- parates a minister from the public service,” he said. “Y€ you have somebody in the field, how do you get those findings passed to the upper level without screening at the upper t couraged, level by managers and supervisors.” The danger is that infor- mation from below will be sanitized once it gets to those upper levels, the MLA added. Giesbrecht said he sup- ports de Leeuw in his at- tempt at a free flow of in- formation. “This to me is too hea- vy-handed. I don’t accept it at all,” he said of the. suspension. Giesbrecht has brought up the subject with envir- -onment minister Joan Sa- *‘wicki and her staff. “Debate should be en- not discour- aged,” said Giesbrecht. “The ministry shouldn’t be afraid.” Dionys de Leeuw, who has twice before gotten in hot water with superiors for his ideas. His paper this time questioned the current me- thod of estimating grizzly bear populations. If bear populations are lower than currently esti- mated, the ministry would be under pressure to re- ‘duce ‘the current level of grizzly hunting. khikkhk LIBERAL LEADER Gor- don Campbell isn’t sur- prised at de Leeuw’s sus- pension. It fits a style of govern- Hopes pinned on this strategy WEST FRASER hopes to duck below the radar screen of environmental graups by selling its north coast forest Li- cence. It’s one of a group of major companies in talks with environmental groups to somehow reach a peace in what has been a vicious international boycott war waged by the groups who oppose logging in what they call the Great Bear Rain Forest on the coast. The theory is that if the companies give up coastal wood, the groups will lay off their operations elsewhere in B.C, > “Once wersell-the:licence;. we're no-longer part of the North Coast: Timber’‘Supply Area,” said West Fraser vice president Wayne Clogg last week. But he was hesitant in saying that'll result in a pro- tecting West Fraser's interior operations. “It’s really hard to answer that. You'll have to ask the [environmental] groups,” he said. Cloge noted that although West Fraser surrendered the old-growth Kitlope area south of here in 1994, it did not receive a moment’s grace from the anti-logeing campaign. “We made a very significant positive environmental gesture and we did not get any positive response from the environmental community,” he said. In addition to selling its north coast licence, West Fraser is going to defer logging in some prime forest holdings it has as part of Tree Farm Licence 41 south of here. In return, West Fraser wants that deferral to become part of regional land and resource management plan (LRMP) process of laying out what areas should be log- ged and what areas should be set aside for environ- mental protection and recreation. The finat plan from the LRMP process has yet to be finalized. By placing its bets with the local LRMP system, West Fraser hopes for an added level of isolation from the battle with environmental groups. “We think that going into the LRMP is a responsible thing to do,” said Clogg. “If the LRMP is a completely and proper public plan- ning process to determine what areas should be protec- ted with input locally, neither us nor the environmental groups should torpedo that,” he said. “KERMODEL RADING “BATHROOM & HOME ACCESSORIES * WINDOW TREATMENTS in Great Contemporary and Classic Stylings, SEE THEM TODAY REGISTRY You'll always find great i Sifts when you shop witht us, As * RS, ty ment he calls intimidating and bullying. “I can tell you public servants are frightened of what will happen to them. if they speak out,” suid. Campbell last week. ~ The problem. is that the NDP government won't - permit any criticism ‘of it’ and will take action against those who ‘lake up- posing views, Campbell — _government.a.‘scary! .en-.. ‘tity. when it comes lo con- “tral” added. “It's alittle. paranoid now, but it is really a bul-- lying and type of government,”. said the Liberal Icader. of the government. “There are retributions for people who go public.” - intimidating © Campbell says he’s gel- ting advice ‘on ‘what. to. do when: he forms the next government from people who -are : afraid - to” be “named in-public.- They're -warried about what’ the. NDP will do. - “when it comes to their.jobs f or for companies and ‘orga- nizations -. that employ them, said: Campbell. He called:the: provincial “We? Te secing this in all areas — the’ forest indu- stry,- in; health.-care ser- -vices and-in’ education, ” said Campbell. . ..In-somecases, it may , APRIL SPECIALS \ Served ay Bean and Corn Salag, Gordon Campbell be delays in paperwork for logging approvals, for in- stance, Or more overt ac- tion, the opposition leader added. For the month of April, enjoy Cajun Cod Rice Pilaf & Garlic Pita, Sa furday Nite Special 6 oz Sirloin withLobster Tail Veggie, Stuffed Potato & Garlic Pita ay? 1 FO Only | couktt INN Where good a food brings ae Ave the family 635-6302 together! ADoser Re Nf OPA EL EAL LLY Lg ‘ No. 1 Grade, “" Product of U.S.A. SAVE at least $1,00/Ib. Q Cheese 2 9$0 to 800 g. ~ Best By Cheddar - SAVE at least contact ow ° | "SudaestiCin’ Only Advettiond prices udaGST.™ AR MILES INTERNATR ° IEDs, LOVALTY MANAGEMENTGROUP, *7-888-AIR-MILE or www.airmiles.ca frown Concentrated iu 22000 Lucastim Lid & TH. ARights Reseived, Used under authorization » Safeway Punches. Or Ades or Teas. 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