Expediting Forestry Approvals

Whereas rural communities across British Columbia have historic and ongoing cultural and economic connections to forest and timber industries; And whereas the closure of major employers such as mills can affect not only the immediately laidoff workers, but their families, and the economic viability of the entire community; And whereas the Province of BC has committed to multimillion dollar funds such as the Rural Economic Development Fund and the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund; And whereas spending from these funds can be avoided if rural areas do not lose jobs unnecessarily: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM calls upon the Province of BC to streamline and expedite the necessary approvals for forestry practices, including cutting permits CPs, annual allowable cut AAC, and necessary First Nations consultation within BCs Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and to strictly follow stated approval timelines.