B.C. minister's email refers to 'eco-fascists'

A B.C. cabinet minister who was once forced to resign because of an impolitic email is in hot water again over another email calling some environmentalists "eco fascists."

The latest email was sent to constituents from B.C. Energy Minister Bill Bennett, urging that they push the federal government to reject a call to turn part of the Flathead Valley in southeastern B.C. into a national park.

The email referred to proponents of the park as, "urban-based enviros and eco-fascists."

In February 2007, Bennett sent a profanity-laced email to a constituent who had complained about the government. That cost him his job as Minister of State for Mining.

"I'm paying the price for my own lack of prudence," Bennett said after his resignation.

Bennett escaped major political repercussions in February 2009 after it was revealed he'd sent another email that called a tour operator in his riding, "short-sighted and ignorant," and questioned the man's "intellectual level" for his criticism of the 2010 Olympic Games.

The most recent controversial comment is "unfortunate and shocking," said the executive director of the Sierra Club of B.C., George Heyman.

"He has just ironically tagged those of us that are seeking to engage the public in democratic dialogue, and engage his government in science-based discussion, with a label that is commonly associated with the complete crushing of democratic processes," said Heyman.

Heyman also said that the remark was inappropriate from a cabinet minister responsible for making recommendations that include environmental considerations.

Reached by CBC News late Tuesday, Bennett apologized for the use of the term "eco facist."

He said the email was a draft that was sent out prematurely by a staff person in his constituency office in Cranbrook.

The B.C. governmentsaidin February that it would moveto ban mining and oil exploration in the Flathead Valley, following years of lobbying by environmentalists, but the government has not endorsed plans for a national park.