Latest news with #ProvincialForestAdvisoryCouncil
CBC
16-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Industry group questions 'vague scope' of new B.C. forestry council
The B.C. Council of Forest Industries (COFI) says it isn't sure why the province has created a new forestry council with a "vague scope and mandate" when there are already multiple working groups focused on the troubled resource sector. On Thursday, the province announced the formation of the Provincial Forest Advisory Council, which it says is expected to "provide recommendations to support forest ecosystems at the same time as helping the forestry sector." It says the move comes "amid a push to save more old-growth trees and a flagging industry as the United States threatens even further levies on Canadian softwood exports" and was created as part of its agreement with the province's two Green Party members. However, COFI says the province already has multiple working groups, reports, reviews and initiatives that have yet to be fully implemented. "We are not totally sure what the overall objective and need for it [the new council] is, COFI president Kim Haakstad said in an interview with CBC News. "Now we have yet another advisory council and review that doesn't have representation from the companies that manage the sectors every day." But the government says the new council is meant to balance environmental and economic needs, with representation from forestry professionals, educators, union and former industry officials The new council's members include Garry Merkel in the Centre of Indigenous Land Stewardship at the University of B.C., Shannon Janzen the former vice-president of Western Forest Products, Jason Fisher of the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C. and Jeff Bromley with the United Steelworkers Wood Council, part of the United Steelworkers union which represents many forestry workers across the province. The union has praised the creation of the council, saying that with more than 2,500 members having lost their jobs in the last decade, it is essential that workers' voices be heard in shaping the industry's future. Green Party House leader Rob Botterell says forestry has always been a key part of the provincial economy, but its future depends on sustainable and long-term ecological stewardship. "This council presents an opportunity to advance bold, transformative and evidence-based actions that centre the health of our forests, support workers and communities, and ensure forest policy in B.C. is grounded in sustainability, science, and partnership with First Nations," Botterell said in a statement. Merkel, who co-chairs the council with Janzen, said the best way to get ahead of the evolving political, economic and ecological environment is by implementing a long-term plan that provides a predictable and stable flow of forest resources. "When we couple sustainable land stewardship with realizing most of the value of our forest resources within British Columbia, we support an economy that relies less on this unstable external environment," he said.
Toronto Star
15-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
B.C. appoints council to improve forest sector, and the forestry ecosystem
VICTORIA - A council made of forestry professionals, educators, union and former industry officials has been brought together to find a balance between healthy forests and a prosperous industry. The B.C. government announced the Provincial Forest Advisory Council on Thursday, appointed under the co-operation agreement it has with the two provincial Green Party members. The council is expected to provide recommendations to support forest ecosystems at the same time as helping the forestry sector. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW It comes amid a push to save more old-growth trees and a flagging industry as the United States threatens even further levies on Canadian softwood exports. Among the council members are Garry Merkel in the Centre of Indigenous Land Stewardship at the University of B.C., Shannon Janzen the former vice-president of Western Forest Products, Jason Fisher of the Forest Enhancement Society of BC and Jeff Bromley with the United Steelworkers Wood Council. Green Party house leader Rob Botterell says forestry has always been a key part of the provincial economy, but its future depends on sustainable and long-term ecological stewardship. 'This council presents an opportunity to advance bold, transformative and evidence-based actions that centre the health of our forests, support workers and communities, and ensure forest policy in B.C. is grounded in sustainability, science, and partnership with First Nations,' Botterell says in a statement. However, the Council of Forest Industries issued a statement Thursday saying it is 'deeply concerned' about the lack of active industry representation on the council. 'B.C.'s forest sector is in crisis. Mills are on the edge of closure, and jobs are on the line in communities across the province,' says the statement from CEO Kim Haakstad. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'To align ecological, economic, and social outcomes, those who manage the realities of the sector every day must have a seat at the table — not just be invited to comment from the sidelines.' Haakstad says they're also troubled by the council's vague scope and mandate, given there are many forestry reviews, reports and initiatives recently completed or still being implemented. Merkel, who co-chairs the council with Janzen, says the best way to get ahead of the evolving political, economic and ecological environment is by implementing a long-term plan that provides a predictable and stable flow of forest resources. 'When we couple sustainable land stewardship with realizing most of the value of our forest resources within British Columbia, we support an economy that relies less on this unstable external environment,' he says. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
15-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. appoints council to improve forest sector, and the forestry ecosystem
VICTORIA – A council made of forestry professionals, educators, union and former industry officials has been brought together to find a balance between healthy forests and a prosperous industry. The B.C. government announced the Provincial Forest Advisory Council on Thursday, appointed under the co-operation agreement it has with the two provincial Green Party members. The council is expected to provide recommendations to support forest ecosystems at the same time as helping the forestry sector. It comes amid a push to save more old-growth trees and a flagging industry as the United States threatens even further levies on Canadian softwood exports. Among the council members are Garry Merkel in the Centre of Indigenous Land Stewardship at the University of B.C., Shannon Janzen the former vice-president of Western Forest Products, Jason Fisher of the Forest Enhancement Society of BC and Jeff Bromley with the United Steelworkers Wood Council. Green Party house leader Rob Botterell says forestry has always been a key part of the provincial economy, but its future depends on sustainable and long-term ecological stewardship. 'This council presents an opportunity to advance bold, transformative and evidence-based actions that centre the health of our forests, support workers and communities, and ensure forest policy in B.C. is grounded in sustainability, science, and partnership with First Nations,' Botterell says in a statement. However, the Council of Forest Industries issued a statement Thursday saying it is 'deeply concerned' about the lack of active industry representation on the council. 'B.C.'s forest sector is in crisis. Mills are on the edge of closure, and jobs are on the line in communities across the province,' says the statement from CEO Kim Haakstad. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'To align ecological, economic, and social outcomes, those who manage the realities of the sector every day must have a seat at the table — not just be invited to comment from the sidelines.' Haakstad says they're also troubled by the council's vague scope and mandate, given there are many forestry reviews, reports and initiatives recently completed or still being implemented. Merkel, who co-chairs the council with Janzen, says the best way to get ahead of the evolving political, economic and ecological environment is by implementing a long-term plan that provides a predictable and stable flow of forest resources. 'When we couple sustainable land stewardship with realizing most of the value of our forest resources within British Columbia, we support an economy that relies less on this unstable external environment,' he says. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2025.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
B.C. appoints council to improve forest sector, and the forestry ecosystem
VICTORIA — A council made of forestry professionals, educators, union and former industry officials has been brought together to find a balance between healthy forests and a prosperous industry. The B.C. government announced the Provincial Forest Advisory Council on Thursday, appointed under the co-operation agreement it has with the two provincial Green Party members. The council is expected to provide recommendations to support forest ecosystems at the same time as helping the forestry sector. It comes amid a push to save more old-growth trees and a flagging industry as the United States threatens even further levies on Canadian softwood exports. Among the council members are Garry Merkel in the Centre of Indigenous Land Stewardship at the University of B.C., Shannon Janzen the former vice-president of Western Forest Products, Jason Fisher of the Forest Enhancement Society of BC and Jeff Bromley with the United Steelworkers Wood Council. Green Party house leader Rob Botterell says forestry has always been a key part of the provincial economy, but its future depends on sustainable and long-term ecological stewardship. "This council presents an opportunity to advance bold, transformative and evidence-based actions that centre the health of our forests, support workers and communities, and ensure forest policy in B.C. is grounded in sustainability, science, and partnership with First Nations," Botterell says in a statement. However, the Council of Forest Industries issued a statement Thursday saying it is "deeply concerned" about the lack of active industry representation on the council. 'B.C.'s forest sector is in crisis. Mills are on the edge of closure, and jobs are on the line in communities across the province," says the statement from CEO Kim Haakstad. "To align ecological, economic, and social outcomes, those who manage the realities of the sector every day must have a seat at the table — not just be invited to comment from the sidelines." Haakstad says they're also troubled by the council's vague scope and mandate, given there are many forestry reviews, reports and initiatives recently completed or still being implemented. Merkel, who co-chairs the council with Janzen, says the best way to get ahead of the evolving political, economic and ecological environment is by implementing a long-term plan that provides a predictable and stable flow of forest resources. "When we couple sustainable land stewardship with realizing most of the value of our forest resources within British Columbia, we support an economy that relies less on this unstable external environment," he says. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2025. The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
