Whereas the closure of all timber processing facilities that cause significant economic hardship within the affected community and its surrounding area; And whereas the sustainability and vitality of local economies are intricately linked to the health and prosperity of timber processing facilities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Ministry of Forests to review the Timber Allocation quota upon the closing of a facility, prioritizing the mitigation of adverse impacts on the economics of the affected community.
Ministry of Forests The government is interested in improving the social licence involved with holding forest tenures to ensure sustainable, equitable and lasting benefits to First Nations, communities and workers. Currently, BC Timber Sales BCTS Review is underway to ensure the forestry sector is continually evolving to overcome challenges and create a vision for a stronger and more resilient future. This review will provide recommendations, including but not limited to, how BCTS can: - create forestry-sector growth, competition and diversification, - provide predictable market access to fibre, - diversify access to fibre for secondary manufacturing sector, - strengthen partnership with First Nations and local communities, and - more jobs for contractors, workers and communities. In 2019, the Forest Act was amended to introduce a requirement that all transfers of forest tenures must be approved by the ministry. The approval process includes an assessment of the marketing of fibre and the public interest. A substantial amount of tenure has changed hands on a willing-buyerwilling-seller basis. In the fall of 2021, the government introduced legislation to authorize the ministry to take back forest tenures for redistribution. Supporting regulations are in place, providing the government with additional powers to support communities, First Nations and BC Timber Sales. Any further changes will be implemented with careful consideration of the declining timber supply and global market volatility.