Lake Babine Nation has massively increased its forestry tenure thanks to a new partnership with the BC government and West Fraser Timber Co.
The agreement, which includes a new woodland licence, expands the Nation’s tenure from roughly 5,600 hectares to more than 126,000 hectares within its traditional territory.
To support the transfer, West Fraser contributed a portion of its licence volume in the Bulkley and Morice Timber Supply Areas. Additional volume came from government-held BC Timber Sales, further expanding the impact of the initiative.
The new licence is held by LBN Forestry, a company owned by Lake Babine Nation.
The agreement was signed in Burns Lake by Chief Wilf Adam of Lake Babine Nation and Forests Minister Ravi Parmar, in front of cheering members of Lake Babine council, the mayor of Burns Lake, West Fraser representatives and others.
The move also advances the goals of the 2020 Foundation Agreement between the province and Lake Babine Nation. That agreement outlines a 20-year plan to implement Indigenous rights and title, including the goal of securing at least 250,000 cubic metres of forest tenure within the Nation’s territory.
Parmar praised the partnership, expressing optimism that BC could become an “engine of Canada’s new economy,” with prosperity flowing not just to Burns Lake but across the province.
“Our closest friend, ally and trading partner turned their back on us. We have a president in the United States who wants to destroy Canada’s economy,” Parmar said. “We have to look out for ourselves here in British Columbia. We have to look out for the people in this province we call home.
“I think if there’s one thing the premier has talked about over the past number of months — I don’t think there’s ever been a more united country or a stronger Team Canada approach.
“Here in BC, there’s an opportunity in the energy transition — from oil and gas to clean power and electricity. We’ve put out a call to power, and every single project under that call has at least 50 per cent First Nations ownership. That’s creating jobs and prosperity in communities across the province.”
In an interview with The Citizen, Parmar called Lake Babine Nation “an outstanding partner” in building BC’s forestry future.
“They’ve watched resources leave their territory for over a century without benefit,” said Parmar. “They’ve dealt with the challenges of a boom-and-bust economy and were excluded from stewardship decisions.
“Now, they’re at the centre of it. They’ve taken on a 2,000 per cent increase — 126,000 hectares — and will be able to steward their lands, harvest, create jobs and support West Fraser’s operations in Smithers with a healthy fibre supply.”
A key outcome of the deal is that the BC government has now met its commitment for First Nations to hold 20 per cent of the province’s annual allowable cut.
Parmar credited his predecessors for laying the groundwork.
“I’m the minister who came in at the end of it,” he said. “My predecessor, John Horgan, set this goal several First Nations Leadership Gatherings ago. Credit to Premier Eby for maintaining that mandate, and to the past forest ministers.
“This is a great opportunity to celebrate nations, government and companies coming together. West Fraser has shown outstanding leadership and has set a high bar for corporate social responsibility.”
Parmar also recounted a moment of political resistance to First Nations tenure ownership.
“I was in Victoria not long ago, having dinner with a coastal First Nations chief and a local MLA. That MLA said the Nation was being greedy for purchasing tenure — that it should be left in the hands of industry.
“I remember sending (BC United Leader) John Rustad a letter saying, are you kidding me? In 2025, one of your MLAs calls a Nation greedy — a Nation trying to create jobs and prosperity for its people, their region and BC? This is not greedy. This is Lake Babine taking leadership — defining the future of forestry, not just for their Nation but for all of British Columbia.”
Adam said the deal will have an immediate impact on employment.
“If you look at Hampton Lumber and Babine Forest Products, 68 per cent of the employees are from Lake Babine or other First Nations — but mainly our people,” said Adam. “The workforce is mostly ours. Going forward, we want even more meaningful employment from forest companies operating in our territory.”
The chief called the agreement a major milestone — and just the beginning.
“It means a lot. It means more control over our territory and how we manage the timber supply. Our goal is to control as much of the territory as we can,” he said. “We’re already talking to West Fraser, Hampton, and hopefully CAM4 — they’re moving out of our territory and we’d like to take over that licence.”
The Nation also wants to strengthen sustainability and grow its tenure share under the Foundation Agreement.
“When I started the foundation agreement in 2016, we held less than one per cent of the tenure pie,” said Adam. “Now, it’s up to 38 per cent. That’s huge for us. It means we’re part of the forest industry, part of the planning, and making sure it’s sustainable for the future.
“I’m not saying industry does a bad job — but we’re going to do it our way.”
West Fraser CEO Sean McLaren said he hopes the deal becomes a model for forestry across BC.
“This is the future of forestry,” McLaren said. “We’re partnering with First Nations to improve access, utilization and decision-making at the community level.
“We’re excited about growing this partnership with Lake Babine. Now that it’s a First Nations Woodland Licence, we’ll be able to manage the forest differently. With incremental timber and more local involvement, there’s a lot of opportunity ahead.”
