The forests of B.C. are so vitally important to all of us. And yet, they and the communities who rely on them are in rough shape these days due in large part to government neglect and ongoing (and increasing) deference to large forest companies self-regulating and calling the shots, while drastically reducing forest-service oversight. It isn't working. Alongside dangerous sawmills and unsafe bridges, we have the Liberal government's recent efforts to convert these large forest company (volume-based) licenses into tree farm licenses which would in essence hand over full control of the forests to a handful of large corporations for a lengthy amount of time, while at the same time marginalizing small and medium-sized operators, community forests and First Nations. If it goes ahead, this will likely result in increasing mill closures, job losses, fibre waste and loss of any control at the local level. The Liberal government is treating our forests like a simple commodity, not a place where people live and work. In this big-business/government-created vision for the future, there appears to be little room for First Nations nor local community input or control of what will happen. Our forests are too precious to be solely dealt with by a few politicians and large corporate interests behind closed doors. The people of B.C. must have their say. Our forests are our future and we simply cannot let this handover to a few large corporate interests happen. On Sat., April 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the College of New Caledonia, the Stand up for the North Committee will be hosting a community symposium on these very issues under the heading of Renewing Our Woods - Keeping Our Forests Public and Sustainable. Speakers include forestry expert Anthony Britneff, noted environmentalist Vicky Husband, Leonard Thomas, former VP of the First Nations Forestry Council, and others. Please come out, learn about and share your concerns at this important community event.
Mary MacDonald
Prince George
