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By Ashley Legassic

CANFOR TENURE

Canfor North Thompson tenure transfer to Interfor approved

Feb 28, 2020 | 3:06 PM

CLEARWATER, B.C. — The provincial government has announced the approval of the Canfor tenure transfer to Interfor.

In a news release, the province says forestry workers, contractors and First Nations in and around Clearwater, Vavenby and Adams Lake will benefit from the transfer of Canfor’s Vavenby forest tenures to Interfor.

“Under the previous government, companies could trade tenure like they were hockey cards, and the people impacted were often the last to find out — even when it resulted in the loss of hundreds of jobs,” says Forests Minister Doug Donaldson in the release. “Our government brought in changes so that the needs of Indigenous Nations, workers and communities would have to be considered before a transfer would be approved. The official opposition voted against those changes. That says a lot about where their priorities lie, which isn’t with rural communities in B.C.”

As a result, Canfor has committed to creating a $200,000 legacy fund with the District of Clearwater. Canfor will also provide $150,000 over five years to the United Way and $500,000 in funding to the Wells Gray Community Forest.

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The approval is effective today. It covers a combined allowable annual cut of roughly 349,000 cubic metres per year.

“I talked with community leaders when I was in Clearwater, and they were clear that this tenure transfer means people in their communities will continue to have jobs,” says Forests Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Ravi Kahlon in the release. “Transfer of these tenures provides a stable wood fibre supply for the Adams Lake sawmill and Interfor’s Adams Lake division that will help those operations continue to provide jobs in the region for years to come.”

The province says the decision comes after a considerable public response to transfer talks to help Donaldson understand the extent of the public interest in the transfer and to ensure it’s not detrimental to the marketing of wood fibre in B.C.

“Further requirements include the need for Interfor to continue discussions with local secondary and value-added manufacturers in the North and South Thompson on log purchasing and wood-fibre supply agreements. Interfor must also work with displaced woodlands employees on further opportunities for employment,” the province states.