Image Credit: CFJC Today

By James Peters

B.C. Forestry

Simpcw First Nation not allowing Canfor tenure to leave its territory without a fight

Jun 13, 2019 | 11:02 AM

CHU CHUA, B.C. — The Simpcw First Nation says it will not allow the transfer of forest tenures from Canfor to Interfor without a fight.

Earlier this month, Canfor announced the closure of its Vavenby sawmill, throwing 178 people out of work. Canfor revealed it has reached an agreement to sell its forest rights to Interfor for $60 million.

In a news release, Simpcw Chief Shelly Loring calls the matter “a non-starter”, saying the transaction “will not go forward” unless the Simpcw is given a meaningful forest management role.

Loring says the Simpcw have been trying to acquire tenure to grow its forestry operations, and Canfor’s cutting rights are “in the heart of Simpcw’s Territory (sic).”

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Forests Minister Doug Donaldson must approve the tenure transfer to Interfor before it becomes official, and Loring says the Simpcw have expressed their plans to Donaldson as recently as last month.

Loring says the First Nation has also had discussions with both Interfor and Canfor about its intentions.