Latest news with #RaviParmar
Hamilton Spectator
30-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Sunshine Coast Community Forest wins provincial excellence award
The Sunshine Coast Community Forest may be one of B.C.'s smallest but it punches well above its weight. The operation earned the 2025 Robin Hood Memorial Award for excellence in community forestry on May 29, recognizing its outsized impact on the local community. The award recognizes the organization's community-centred approach to forestry management and its substantial economic contributions to the region. Since 2007, the community forest has invested nearly $25 million in local infrastructure, recreation facilities, economic development projects, and community initiatives throughout the Sunshine Coast. One of the forest's recent initiatives is a firewood program that provides affordable, sustainably sourced wood to residents. The program employs individuals facing workforce barriers and supplies firewood at no cost to families experiencing financial hardship. The Sunshine Coast Community Forest, owned by the District of Sechelt, has an annual allowable cut of 20,000 cubic metres and is one of 62 community forests operating across B.C. Together, these community forests contribute more than 2.25 million cubic metres of fibre annually, representing three per cent of the province's total harvest. 'When you hear about local leaders and the incredible benefits they bring to their community through forestry, you can just tell this is what the future of forestry looks like,' said Forests Minister Ravi Parmar in the release. 'The Sunshine Coast Community Forest is this future and is leading with a community-first approach that weaves together local economic resiliency with healthy forests to support those who call the Sunshine Coast home.' The organization maintains strong community ties and transparency through regular engagement activities, including bi-weekly newspaper updates, email newsletters, and a community advisory panel, said the press release. It also organizes educational field trips for school children, university researchers, government officials, and community members. 'It means a lot to us to be recognized among the many exceptional community forests in B.C.,' said Sara Zieleman, executive director of the Sunshine Coast Community Forest in the release. She credited the community's support, volunteer dedication, and organizational partnerships for the recognition. 'We're proud to be part of a network of community forests working to create social, ecological and economic benefits across the province.' The Sunshine Coast Community Forest employs ecosystem-based management techniques that prioritize forest health, biodiversity, and long-term sustainability. Their approach includes retention systems designed to minimize logging impacts while implementing conservation measures to protect wildlife habitats, watersheds, and reduce wildfire risk. The Robin Hood Memorial Award for Excellence in Community Forestry was established in 2016 to honour the legacy of Robin Hood, a British Columbia resident who championed local community forestry and was active in woodlot and community forest communities. Community forests in British Columbia are typically managed through partnerships between local governments, community groups, and First Nations. These operations focus on supporting local communities while contributing to forest economy diversification and creating opportunities in recreation, wildlife, and watershed management. More information about the Sunshine Coast Community Forest can be found online . Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter's civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Vancouver Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Kelowna-based company buys Princeton lumber mill from forestry giant Weyerhaeuser
A West Kelowna company's planned purchase of the Princeton Lumber Mill from forestry giant Weyerhaeuser has drawn applause from B.C. Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar. 'I welcome Gorman Group's purchase of Weyerhaeuser's operations in Princeton,' Parmar said in a news release on Wednesday. 'Locally, family-owned-and-operated forest companies are the lifeblood of the forest industry and a cornerstone of our economy. For too long, most major milling operations have been the realm of big industrial conglomerates. But today, the West Kelowna-based business is reversing that trend. Companies like Gorman Group believe in the future of forestry and they know that B.C. is a great place to invest in that future.' Weyerhaeuser announced on Wednesday that it would sell its Princeton mill to the Gorman Group for $120 million cash, which includes Weyerhaeuser's manufacturing facility, all associated timber license assets in British Columbia and the value of working capital. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Gorman Bros. Lumber is the Princeton mill's largest customer. 'Gorman has been a great customer and strategic partner, and we believe this will be a seamless transition that will position the mill for future success in a challenging operating environment — providing long-term certainty for the mill and the broader community,' said Weyerhaeuser Chief Executive Officer Devin Stockfish. Gorman Chief Executive Officer Nick Arkle said the purchase of the mill was a natural fit for the third-generation family company. 'We've had a strong connection to the Princeton operation for many years, and we know first-hand the skill, commitment and quality that define its team. This really will be a case of the whole being stronger than the sum of its parts. We're looking forward to working together with First Nations, governments, communities and all our employees to make this a B.C. success story.' Weyerhaeuser is one of the world's largest private owners of timberlands and one of the largest manufacturers of wood products in North America. The Gorman Group has four divisions in southern B.C. — two sawmills, a remanufacturing plant, a plywood plant, and a pole plant. It also owns a remanufacturing plant in northern Washington state. The number of people employed in forestry, once one of B.C.'s largest industries, has been cut in half since 2000, according to a report from the B.C. Council of Forest Industries. The main driver of those job losses has been a 55 per cent reduction in the provincial harvest, with forest fires, pine beetle infestations and provincial conservation policies affecting the availability of trees for harvest. dcarrigg@
Globe and Mail
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
B.C. sending almost 100 firefighters to Ontario, after 42 deployed to Manitoba
British Columbia Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says the province is sending almost 100 wildland firefighters to Ontario, where fires have been threatening several communities near the Manitoba border. Parmar says the deployment comes after B.C. sent 42 firefighters to Manitoba, where a blaze near Lac du Bonnet this week destroyed 28 homes and cottages and left two people dead. Manitoba remains in a state of emergency following a declaration by Premier Wab Kinew on May 15. Parmar said the deployments are part of an inter-agency agreement that allows provinces to ask each other for wildfire support. Cool temperatures and rain have kept B.C.'s own fire situation manageable, Parmar says, allowing for the crews to be deployed. He said it's up to Ontario to decide where the B.C. firefighters will be sent. Parmar said typical deployments to other jurisdictions last two weeks, but government is assessing the situation on a daily basis. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre said in its 2023 report summarizing Canada's record-setting wildfire season that national and international collaboration will become increasingly important with the changing climate. In 2023, every province except Quebec deployed personnel to B.C. to help fight wildfires. The province also received support from the Yukon, the Canadian Armed Forces, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica and South Africa during the record-setting wildfire season. 2023 was also Canada's worst fire season on record as wildfires burned more than 17.2 million hectares.
CBC
17-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
B.C. sending almost 100 firefighters to Ontario, after 42 deployed to Manitoba
Social Sharing British Columbia Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says the province is sending almost 100 wildland firefighters to Ontario, where fires have been threatening several communities near the Manitoba border. Parmar says the deployment comes after B.C. sent 42 firefighters to Manitoba, where a blaze in the rural municipality of Lac du Bonnet this week destroyed 28 homes and cottages and left two people dead. He says the deployments are part of an inter-agency agreement that allows provinces to ask each other for wildfire support. He says it's up to Ontario to decide where in the province it will send the B.C. firefighters. Parmar says typical deployments to other jurisdictions last two weeks, but government is assessing the situation on a daily basis. Cool temperatures and rain have kept B.C.'s own fire situation manageable, Parmar says, allowing the inter-provincial deployments. "Our priority, of course, [is] making sure that we have the resources here to fight fires in British Columbia, but we felt that we were in a good position to be able to help provide support to our neighbours," he said. The minister urged the public to be cautious heading into the Victoria Day long weekend. "As we head into the May long weekend and British Columbians in every part of our province are heading into the bush — enjoying camping, enjoying the great outdoors — they can remember that they have a role to play as well, and that's to be fire smart," he said. The province says Category 2 and 3 open burning is prohibited in the Cariboo Fire Centre and parts of the Northwest Fire Centre. A summer-long Category 3 open-burning prohibition in the Kamloops Fire Centre went into effect Friday.
Epoch Times
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Epoch Times
Wildfire Prompts Evacuations in Fort St. John, BC, City Says
Firefighters from Fort St. John, B.C., and the provincial wildfire service were battling a blaze that prompted evacuations late Thursday, the city said. A bulletin on the city's website posted at 6:04 p.m. said the fire is located in the Fish Creek Community Forest on the northern outskirts of the city. The bulletin had directed evacuees from Rose Prairie Road and the Jones subdivision area to proceed to the Pomeroy Sport Centre. An update on the city's Facebook page around 9 p.m. stated the emergency support services reception centre at the Pomeroy had been closed. It did not provide the number of people forced out of their homes or any further details. The BC Wildfire Service website indicates the out-of-control blaze was discovered Thursday and spanned an estimated 0.56 square kilometres as of 7:32 p.m. The suspected cause of the fire is human activity. Related Stories 4/24/2025 3/31/2025 The service said it had 12 firefighters, two helicopters and airtankers working alongside crews from Fort St. John, Taylor and Charlie Lake. Kelly Greene, B.C.'s minister of emergency management, said in a social media post that she was aware of a fire affecting Fort St. John residents. The fire is one of nearly two dozen active across B.C. on Thursday, as the provincial government warned that a combination of warm, dry conditions and strong winds would raise the fire risk in southern parts of B.C. It's one of two blazes classified as burning out of control, the other being a 1.85-square-kilometre blaze that began as two separate fires about 30 kilometres southwest of Dawson Creek, which is located south of Fort St. John. A social media post from the wildfire service on Thursday said groundcrews were working to contain that fire with support from helicopters. It said southwesterly winds were pushing the fire toward Highway 52 North, also known as Heritage Highway, which was open to single-lane alternating traffic along a stretch between Brassey and Bearhole Lake roads. Meanwhile, Mounties in Tumbler Ridge, about 120 kilometres south of Dawson Creek, said a wildfire had destroyed their fibre optic connection, and telephone, cellphone, radio and internet services were down. An RCMP statement said anyone requiring police assistance in the Tumbler Ridge area will need to go to the detachment in person. Three other fires in the same cluster in the Dawson Creek area are classified as 'being held,' the wildfire service said, meaning the flames are not expected to spread beyond their existing area. A statement from the Forests Ministry earlier Thursday said the wildfire service was urging people to postpone any open burning until the windy conditions pass, and to use extra care for any backcountry camping. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said weather over the next several days 'could set the stage for dangerous wildfire conditions across the province.' He said this time of year carries the highest risk of wildfires caused by human activity, most of which are 'entirely preventable.' Open burning prohibitions are expected to take effect in the coming weeks.
