Wanted: A British Columbia agriculture minister.

People skills required. Must be willing to travel. Ability to solve complex problems is a plus — but, in the absence of that, an ability to not disappear from the face of the earth whenever a crisis occurs is required. No experience necessary. Compensation comes with a gold-plated, taxpayer-funded pension.

Quick, somebody with a LinkedIn Premium account get this online for the BC NDP. They are in desperate need of a good applicant. The current minister, Pam Alexis, is missing in action.

In the weeks since the collapse of the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative, Alexis has gone invisible.

Farmers have issued emotional public pleas for help, as apple season begins without the critical packing and cold storage services of the 88-year-old cooperative to help get product onto store shelves.

Livelihoods, and in some cases generations of farms, are on the line. Grown men have shed tears in meetings. And the minister? Her only response has been a........

© BIV