The provincial government is reconsidering its decision to move the islands small business logging program from Queen Charlotte to Chilliwack, according to MLA Bill Belsey.
Local loggers have called the move disastrous. Contractors who want to bid on small business jobs like engineering and road building must now be available to work not just on the Charlottes, but also in the Chilliwack area. Islanders also face hurdles in getting bid documents and deposits to the Chilliwack office.
Mr. Belsey said he took islanders' concern about the move straight to the top, speaking to Premier Gordon Campbell for half an hour last week about the issue.
"He was quite taken aback by that," Mr. Belsey said. "He was sympathetic."
The government is now trying to figure out how to fix the situation, he said.
"None of this stuff ever happens as quickly as people want it," he said, "but we can correct the mistakes we have made."