WHEREAS the Chief Forester of British Columbia has declared the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation of the Lodgepole Pine forest to be catastrophic, and pine composes up to 90 percent of the forest that underpins the forestry-based economy of the interior of BC and the timber that can be harvested in the interior of BC is expected to decrease dramatically in the next 10 years because of the Mountain Pine Beetle, according to the BC and federal governments; AND WHEREAS the FCM has already taken the first step by calling for action on forest rehabilitation at its Convention and the communities of the affected areas are doing all they can, individually and cooperatively, to prepare for an economic downturn as a result of the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the federal government work in partnership with the provincial government to assist communities in their challenge to recreate their economies by supporting Pine Beetle trust funds.
Ministry of Forests and Range The Province of British Columbia clearly recognizes that the mountain pine beetle infestation is a natural disaster. We have received 100 million in federal funding and continue to engage the Government of Canada for additional support. Protecting public health and safety, as well as ensuring long-term economic sustainability for affected communities, are clearly stated objectives of the provincial Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan for 2005-2010, which was developed with the input of communities and other key stakeholders. Through measures such as the Northern Development Initiative Trust and funding to the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition, the provincial government is giving beetle-impacted communities the ability to help determine their own futures. Also, we are working with beetle action coalitions in the Omineca and Kootenay regions.
PRIME MINISTERS OFFICE Liberal Government On behalf of the Right Honourable Paul Martin, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your letter of October 25, with which you enclosed several resolutions of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities UBCM. You may be assured that the view expressed in the resolutions have been carefully considered. As copies of your correspondence have already been sent to the Ministers within whose responsibilities these matters fall, I am certain that they will have appreciated receiving this information. NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA Liberal Government As part of Budget 2005, the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Industry, announced a 100-million grant to British Columbia to help combat the mountain pine beetle infestation. This federal grant will assist the British Columbia government in fighting the beetle and mitigating impacts on communities and the forest ecosystem. Additionally, Natural Resources Canada is delivering a 40-million Mountain Pine Beetle Initiative. The land-based programs for private forestlands under this initiative are intended to assist in beetle control and post-beetle forest rehabilitation for non-industrial forestlands or woodlots managed for forest products. The departments Canada Wood Program is also working with industry to develop the market for Canadian lumber. Improved market opportunities would complement British Columbias objectives to salvage additional volumes of post-beetle timber. Western Economic Diversification Canada has also contributed approximately 5 million for mountain pine beetle-related projects. WESTERN ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION response to FCM conveyance Liberal Government ...the Government of Canada announced a 100 million investment to help combat the mountain pine beetle infestation, which will be a key step in developing a long-term strategy between the federal and the B.C. governments. The Government of Canada is highly sensitive to the impact of the current pine beetle infestation on workers, firms and communities in British Columbia. We are working closely with Natural Resources Canada, the Province of British Columbia and other stakeholders to determine the extent of the problem and to help forest-dependent communities. Through its existing programs and services, Western Economic Diversification Canada WD has directed significant funding towards adjustment issues facing the forest sector, including communities impacted by the mountain pine beetle. The Department has supported community-based projects in the area of secondary wood manufacturing, feasibility studies, regional planning and business planning activities with industry associations. Recent project funding examples include: - The relocation and expansion of the Wood Enterprise Centre in Quesnel, which will provide a central facility for small- and medium-sized businesses to design and prototype new wood value-added products. - Support for the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition to develop a regional action plan to identify and address economic development issues over the next thirty years. - Feasibility studies for the communities of Valemount, Bella Coola and Powell River to establish viable and sustainable community forests. - Planning assistance for smaller organizations, such as the Cariboo Small-Scale Harvesters Association, to explore strategies for capacity building, facilitating joint ventures with industry and access to provincial salvage licenses. The Government of Canadas Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative, which expired on March 31, 2005, invested 50 million in more than 140 communities across rural B.C. through 145 community adjustment projects that have launched successful locally-driven solutions in many of the same forest-dependent communities now challenged by the pine beetle infestation. This initiative also targeted specific projects that demonstrate a range of opportunities for value-added utilization of beetle-infested wood from which communities may benefit. The Department also works with local partners, such as the Community Futures Development Corporations, to encourage the development of community-based initiatives in rural British Columbia. I agree with the important points you have raised regarding the complexity of the mountain pine beetle infestation and the need for collaboration across governments. I commend you for your efforts to raise awareness of this challenging problem that forest-dependent communities will face in the near future, and I look forward to exploring how WD can work with communities on this complex issue.
FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES This resolution was adopted as Category B resolution at FCMs Annual Conference and was conveyed to the federal Minister of Western Economic Diversification.