SOUND OFF: Taking action for healthy forests and strong communities
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B.C. IS IN THE MIDDLE of an overdue and necessary paradigm shift in our relationship with our forests and the industries and communities who rely upon them.
We know we need healthy forests to support healthy communities and to help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Our government is working in partnership with First Nations and communities to move to a place where workers have a sustainable future with new, innovative forestry jobs for generations to come.
In October, we introduced legislation to put forestry planning back in the hands of the public. Earlier this month, we announced our intention to defer 2.6 million hectares of the most at-risk old growth forests in the province, in partnership with First Nations rights and titleholders. And just this week, we introduced amendments to the Forest Act to ensure First Nations, communities and smaller companies have greater opportunities to benefit from our public forests.
Under the B.C. Liberals, more than 30,000 jobs were lost and dozens of mills in communities like ours shut down. While the Interior saw massive job losses, the former government refused to provide support for our communities. Instead, under their watch, our resources were shipped overseas – all while the health of our forests suffered. By refusing to take a sustainable approach and plan for the long-term in the past, the previous government put workers and communities in the difficult position we find ourselves today.
