Image Credit: CFJC Today

By James Peters

B.C. Forestry

Simpcw chief rips province on Canfor tenure sale

Oct 31, 2019 | 1:53 PM

CHU CHUA, B.C. — The Simpcw First Nation in the North Thompson Valley says B.C.’s NDP government needs to prove its commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is more than just lip service.

In a news release, Simpcw Chief Shelly Loring issues a warning to other B.C. Indigenous nations.

Loring says the nation has been negotiating with Canfor and Interfor in the wake of Interfor’s offer to purchase Canfor’s Vavenby tenures. Canfor announced the closure of its Vavenby sawmill in the summer.

Simpcw would like to see the tenures remain in the local area. Loring says talks with Canfor and Interfor have made “good progress” and the parties are close to an agreement.

Loring says the deal would diversify the forest industry and create opportunities for the nation while keeping the transaction between Canfor and Interfor intact.

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However, Loring says the province has not yet supported the venture in a way that would suggest its approach to First Nations reconciliation has changed.

A meeting between Simpcw Chief and Council and Forests Minister Doug Donaldson is scheduled for next week. Loring says if Donaldson does not support the Simpcw’s position in the transaction, the Simpcw “will not hesitate” to take the matter to court.