Whereas curtailments of local sawmills in BC have exhibited the potential of creating a significant economic downturn to the residents of BC, the local governments tax base, and extending to the province; And whereas limited access of local forestry industries to timber continues to incite more aggravated downturn on the wellbeing of BC rural communities: Therefore it be resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial and federal government to provide significant support to rural British Columbians by reviewing the selling of Timber Licenses and requiring that timbers be kept within the designated Timber Supply Area in order to maintain economic stability and forestry longevity in BC rural communities.
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development We recognize the pressure communities are faced with as a result of mill closures, reduced harvest levels and rationalization of operations in the wake of the mountain pine beetle outbreak and several record-breaking fire years. In response Government launched the Interior Forest Renewal Initiative, a regionally driven process with the objectives to develop a globally competitive, sustainable forest sector that supports communities and workers and advances reconciliation with Indigenous communities. This initiative recognizes the challenges being faced by communities vary across the province and there is no one solution that would. The Ministry conducted extensive engagement through the summer and fall of 2019, seeking input on how to realize these objectives. The response was wide-ranging resulting in thousands of ideas from across the Interior of BC. A What We Heard report was released in July 2020 and shared the feedback and key themes that emerged. Release was delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, however, we continue to review the input to help inform policy andor program reform to advance both the immediate COVID recovery and the longer-term renewal transition for the interior forest sector. Recognizing the need for consideration of the public interest in forest tenures, the Ministry introduced amendments to the Forest Act via Bill 22 that allow the Minister to deny a tenure transfer if not in the public interest. In some instances, this can assist in maintaining local forest sector employment or provide a mechanism to support communities through a transition. Moving back to an appurtenancy model would be very challenging and not necessarily lead to better forest management. For example, the ability to freely trade and move timber to various processing facilities has become integrated into the forest sector. Logs sometimes move great distances in order to get the right log to the best suited processing facility. Any potential changes related to increased appurtenancy will have to consider the needs of the forest sector while excess milling capacity is rationalized with the significant decline in available timber supplies. Through the Interior Forest Renewal Initiative, we will continue to work with local communities, First Nations and industry to build a stronger, more resilient forest economy.