VICTORIA, B.C. – The BC Greens thank the Provincial Forestry Advisory Council (PFAC) for its report, created under the Cooperation and Responsible Governance Accord (CARGA) with the BC NDP. The BC Greens are pleased the process centred on sustainability, science, and partnership with First Nations, while supporting workers and forest communities at this pivotal moment for forestry.
PFAC has made several recommendations that transform the forestry industry into a more sustainable sector, including a significant shift toward regional decision-making and area-based land management.
“This offers a monumental reset for British Columbia’s forests,” said Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “Implementing the recommendations of this report would usher in modern forest management that meets the moment.”
“Mill closures, drought, climate change, tariffs, and wildfires have shaken workers and families, and devastated towns and ecosystems. BC’s forestry industry cannot continue to function the way it has, and we cannot risk another short-term fix. Corporate interests have guided this industry for too long. Nobody—from environmentalists to forestry companies—is happy with what’s happening with British Columbia’s forests. There is a cost to this conflict,” he added.
Decades of forestry policies have left forests and the industry at a flash point, and the BC Greens believe a structural transition is necessary. “This report provides a roadmap for the BC government. Recent federal funding dedicated to forestry provides a real opportunity for this government to spur this change,” said Botterell.
“BC’s forest management system will face worse ecological degradation, instability, heightened conflict, declining public trust, and the loss of communities from permanent mill closures. The real risk is pretending a system that has failed workers, communities, and forests for decades will suddenly start working,” he added.
While the BC Greens commend the work of PFAC, the report does not directly address immediate protection of BC’s last remaining old growth in a manner supported by First Nations—something the BC Greens see as essential. The report does, however, build on the Old Growth Strategic Review and it centres the many systemic changes needed to safeguard primary forests.
“We need the government to commit now—to implementing the Old Growth Strategic Review, as PFAC recommends, ushering in the change BC’s forests need,” said Botterell.
Read the full report: https://pfac.ca/
-30-
Media Contact
Ryan Hook
Press Secretary
BC Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | ryan.hook@leg.bc.ca