Bad News
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) obtained huge sums of Federal Government money ($125,000,000.00) to subsidize the purchase of Darkwoods Forestry ($50,000,000.00) in the Kootenays of B.C. (British Columbia, Canada). Among the promises made was "No job loss". This promise was repeated at all the meetings I went to by both NCC (Nature Conservancy of Canada) representatives and Government representatives such as Jim Abbott (Federal Conservative party member for Kootenay East). Darkwoods Forestry was to remain as the forest manager. So it would not be likely that there would be drastic changes.
These promises convinced all direct and indirect (Contractors) employees of Darkwoods Forestry that everything would remain the same or very similar. This removed the necessity for concerned Contractors to publicly voice their concerns or oppose the purchase. The stage was set to look much like the NCC TV ads, how all would be wonderful under NCC management.
Job Loss
I have been employed by Darkwoods Forestry for 22 years and have experience a great relationship with them. Historically they put forth effort to keep me employed to at least a reasonable level through whatever the forest industry experienced. For several years before the NCC took control I found it necessary to purchase additional equipment and employ help to keep up with the level of development.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada took over management of Darkwoods for the 2009 season. Darkwoods management started off with budget proposals similar to previous years with slight modifications to satisfy NCC objectives. After repeated rejections of the budgets which constantly reduced my work (road building), work was started very late. My job went from a job capable of supporting my family to 6 weeks.
I called Pat Field who sympathized but said that the NCC policies did not allow them to build road (NCC policies trump jobs regardless of pre-purchase promises). I called Nancy Newhouse, who also sympathized with my job loss and wished me the best. So what happened to "No job loss"? For the 2010 season I was told that if there was any work for me, I should consider it an extra. No work! I called Jim Abbott, then our Federal Representative. He said he would get back to me and did so personally. He told me that I would be hearing from an NCC Representative. I never was, however I did get another short 6 week job, just enough to keep us going for a while longer. Fortunately we also got a couple of other jobs that year.
For 2011, the our MLA has changed. The NCC has decided "NO ROAD CONSTRUCTION". Thus far we haven't been so fortunate as to find any decent work. This leaves me struggling in a horrible economy because the government gave them funds.
I have never been contacted by a NCC representative. They seem unconcerned with my position despite their promises!
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My position:
- I have lost about 80-90% of my income.
- I own a bunch of specialized equipment with little hope of finding much work elsewhere
- I am 62 years old and I believe have served my employer well as shown by the duration of employment.
- I should be in a situation to sell my equipment for a good dollar and my job with good will, maybe retire. :) Unfortunately because the government subsidized a group with no commercial interests, my job and hence my equipment are very close to valueless. :(
- I don't have to mention how well I sleep now...
Here is a copy of a letter widely sent to parties we hoped would be interested in some help or acknowledgement of the situation we have been left in: CLICK HERE!
(To be continued, we need help!)
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List of items which should have been:
- Most importantly, an enviromental organization should never subsidized to take over an industrial location!!!
- The government should have appointed an ombudsman to ensure that the spirit of the agreement was met.
- In the case of immenent job loss, there should have been a counselling program set up for any effected.
- It is hard to imagine how the government could have fallen down so badly when they have so much help to offer some.
KEYWORDSNature Conservancy of Canada, Nature Conservancy of Canada complaints, NCC Donations, Nature Conservancy donations, Nature Conservancy of Canada Donations, Nature Conservancy support, Darkwoods, Pluto Darkwoods, NCC Bad News, NCC Job loss, NCC fall out, fallout, NCC lies, untrue, NCC misslead, NCC misleading the public, Government Support, Government invest, job loss, Canadian government caused job loss, Panhandle, wealthy panhandlers,
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