This page contains annotated news stories and press releases with commentary about land reform and the democratic process in British Columbia. Our comments are shown in red.
The decision was not adequately informed, consultation was not effective, communication was not transparent, and previous land removals did not inform the decision.
The report also brings up the suspicions of insider trading, liberal donations, and conflicts of interest.
For a copy of the report click here: http://www.bcauditor.com/include/view_file.asp?id=18&type=publication
Forest deal lacked 'regard for public interest'
Critics want Coleman removed from cabinet, deal suspended
Jul 17, 2008The NDP also asked for the release of TFL lands to be suspended until there is a review, including the cost to the taxpayer of reversing the release.
The report by Auditor General John Doyle says Coleman's decision to allow Western Forest Products to remove 28,000 hectares of private forest land from the TFLs was made without sufficient information, consultation or attention paid to the public interest.
The potential loss of Jordan River's beauty to development riled area residents.View Larger Image View Larger Image
The potential loss of Jordan River's beauty to development riled area residents.
Darren Stone
"The minister was the final check in the process ... but, given the importance of the decision, he did not do enough to ensure that due regard was given to the public interest," the report said.
The report infuriated government and provoked an unprecedented attack on Doyle by Pat Bell, who replaced Coleman as forests minister in a cabinet shuffle in June.
"We are offended by this report," Bell said. "It's totally inappropriate and, if Mr. Doyle thinks this is the way we do business in B.C., he's dead wrong," he said. Doyle came to B.C. from Australia. This is his first major report since his appointment in August 2007.
Doyle said he looked at the process objectively and concluded there was incomplete analysis. "I'm sorry if it upsets anyone, but I actually believe they [the public] should be well informed," he said yesterday at a news conference.
The land in question was in three tree farm licences, including about 2,500 hectares between Sooke and Jordan River. It is conservatively valued at more than $150 million. Coleman announced the decision on Jan. 31, 2007.
Doyle said Coleman made his decision about the land based on a five-page briefing note and a one-page evaluation of Western Forest Products' financial health. "I can't see that they did enough work to support this decision," he said.
Greater weight was given to the company's financial restructuring than to other public interests and, even when undesirable effects were identified, little was done to mitigate them, he said.
Coleman, who became minister of housing and social development last month, issued a brief statement that did not address the report's conclusions, but said other concerns raised by Doyle have been passed to the Conflict of Interest Commissioner.
Coleman has said the decision was necessary to help the forestry company survive in a tough market, thereby saving jobs, but Doyle said the business case was not persuasive and the ministry could not provide any analysis of the financial viability of the company or how the decision would help.
"It certainly raises the question on what basis the decisions were made."
Moreover, the report said, "there was no explanation of how allowing the land removal was in the public interest."
Doyle's scathing report does not make recommendations, as there is little private land remaining in TFLs, but he said he wants other ministries and agencies to better understand the need for public consultation.
Unlike most auditor general's reports, it does not include a response from government because the ministry missed the deadline, even after it was extended, Doyle said.
However, Bell, visibly angry, said he received the final report only the previous day, although he had previously seen a draft copy, and he said the ministry was not given adequate time to respond.
"In my view [the report] is unprofessional and lacking in integrity. Mr. Doyle has not done his homework on it," he said.
The report is a blistering attack on the public service of B.C., an affront to Forests Ministry staff and is filled with inaccuracies, Bell said.
For example, briefing notes added to knowledge of the issue Coleman already had but were not the only information used to make the decision, he said.
As the report does not include recommendations, it cannot be regarded as constructive criticism, said Bell, who supports Coleman's decision-making process.
A ministry news release, issued with Doyle's report, says there could have been more public consultation and the process has been improved for an application by Pope and Talbot to remove private land from a TFL near Revelstoke.
However, Doyle's report ignores the importance of private property rights and contains unsupported statements, errors and omissions, it says.
John Horgan, the NDP MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca, said the attack on Doyle is appalling and represents an effort to deflect attention from the real issues.
"For the government to attack an independent officer of the legislature is classless," he said.
NDP forestry critic Bob Simpson said Coleman made a "profoundly stupid decision," adding he thinks it's inconceivable that Coleman is still in cabinet.
