Communities Reliant on Forestry

WHEREAS forestry remains the back bone of the Provinces export economy, responsible for 40 of the total export earnings which support more than 80,000 direct jobs outside the lower mainland and Victoria regions, and is the leading source of income and taxation for local communities; AND WHEREAS outside the lower mainland and Victoria regions, forestry is the leading source of income and property taxation for smaller to medium sized communities: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, urge the Province of British Columbia to create a special grant funding to support local government services for all communities that may be impacted by mill closures and pine beetle infestation.