Five years ago Christy Clark said BC needs world-class spill response systems to protect our coasts, yet for five years she’s failed to press Ottawa to provide it.

When the Nathan E. Stewart tug boat leaked diesel fuel after running aground near Bella Bella last month, Christy Clark never even bothered to show up and see the damage done.

Much of the diesel may never be recovered. Members of the Heiltsuk Nation know that they will live with the consequences of this disaster for years to come.

The environmental clean-up now appears to have become a marine salvage operation.

My question for Christy Clark is: why has the US company that caused the damage in the first place contracting US vessels and crews to salvage the sunken vessel when Canadian salvage vessels and crews sit idle.

I encourage her to keep her promise to protect our coasts, to build local capacity and to protect BC jobs.

If government is serious about developing a world-class spill response capability, surely it should start by putting British Columbians to work.