Forestry workers park rigs near B.C. legislature for pro-industry rally

Hundreds of forestry workers staged a rally on the lawn of British Columbia's legislature Tuesday, reminding the government about how important the industry is to the economy and to the survival of rural communities.

Many of the workers arrived in logging trucks and parked their rigs near the legislature, temporarily shutting down a busy thoroughfare.

Among the crowd of about 500 people were many who carried placards saying, ``Forestry Feeds My Family.''

Forests Minister Doug Donaldson spoke to the crowd, saying he will take their message to the government.

Port McNeill Mayor Gaby Wickstrom told the group that B.C.'s forest industry is in crisis and the government needs to be reminded that a healthy industry benefits the entire province.

Wickstrom said her Vancouver Island community suffered during a recent eight-month strike that saw up to 3,000 people out of work and many families and businesses on northern Vancouver Island struggling to survive.