Whereas climate change and the planetary biodiversity crisis are real and, old-growth forests have significant economic, social and environmental value as wildlife habitat, tourism resources, carbon sinks and are vital sites for biodiversity in British Columbia and becoming increasingly rare in the province; And whereas the Provinces independent panel on old growth forests called on government to Declare conservation of ecosystem health and biodiversity of British Columbias forests as an overarching priority and enact legislation that legally establishes this priority for all sectors. A New Future for Old Forests: A Strategic Review of How British Columbia Manages for Old Forests Within its Ancient Ecosystems: Therefore be it resolved that the Province engage and consult with local governments and First Nations as it moves forward to implement the 14 recommendations within the Old Growth Review, recognizing that there will be significant impacts and implications for workers and communities that will require economic transition support.
Ministry of Forests The Government of BC has accepted all 14 recommendations from the Old Growth Strategic Review OGSR report, A New Future for Old Forests. The Ministry of Forests is preparing an Action Plan that will report on the progress made implementing the recommendations, and further will identify additional actions to complete implementation. We have already made significant progress responding to the OGSR recommendations, including recent announcements on conservation financing, accelerated action to protect old growth forests, and our commitment to conserve 30 per cent of BCs land base by 2030. All these efforts are fundamental to protecting against the worst effects of climate change and creating a healthier future for everyone. A key component of this work is leading the collaborative development of a Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework the Framework with First Nations. The draft framework sets policy intent and serves as a catalyst for a paradigm shift in the way we think about biodiversity, helping to ensure our ecosystems and communities remain healthy and resilient in light of climate change and other threats. The Framework will help align ongoing initiatives that support ecosystem health e.g., Together for Wildlife Strategy, Watershed Security Strategy and the commitment to achieving the goal of 30 protection of BCs land base by 2030. The draft Framework includes a commitment to co-developing with First Nations new legislation and updates to existing legislation. The draft Framework also includes a commitment to work with local governments and British Columbians as part of a whole of society approach, to support the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. The draft Framework was released on November 15, 2023. Consultation with First Nations and engagement with industry, local governments, and Non-Government Organizations was conducted via virtual webinars between November 15, 2023, and January 31, 2024. These included two local government specific sessions. The Framework will be finalized in spring 2024, followed by co-development of the related legislation. We are seeking to continue the work to implement the 14 recommendations in partnership with First Nations, and in consultation with local governments, industry, scientists, and non-governmental organizations. Provincial forums were held early in 2023 and a series of regional sessions were held from March to May 2023 to seek input on the development of the Action Plan and Framework. Information on our progress in developing those products was presented at the UBCM Convention in September of this year. Additionally, all First Nations were invited to a series of webinars to discuss the OGSR recommendations and were provided draft Action Plan content for comment. The Action Plan and Framework will have significant impacts on forest-dependent communities, and we are clear that significant support must be offered to communities which identify the need for economic transition. New measures were announced in February 2023 to support communities which identify the need for transition, including launching value-added accelerator tables in partnership with the First Nations Forestry Council, the Council of Forest Industries and the BC Value-Added Wood Coalition and doubling the new BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund to 180 million and making it open to projects provincewide.