Category Archives: Governance infrastructure

Does BC need a forest stewardship paradigm shift?

The new future of old forests in BC” Report (https://tinyurl.com/3fjudkms) submitted to Government called for a paradigm shift in the practice of BC forest stewardship. Is addressing the recommendations really a paradigm shift or part of the continued development of the 1970 originated model? It is critical that we are confident a major change is required as the statement generates divisiveness within the community concerned about BC forests. This is discussed in Forest stewardship-need for paradigm shift

Modernizing BC forest policy

Government’s “Modernization of Forest Policy” initiative has a major deficiency due to the adopted process. There is a lack of clear, high-level statements from Government relative to an infrastructure framework that guides the process.  Incorporating the recommendations presented in Forest renewal vision framework-action plan will go a long way in making a correction to reflect the demands of the 21st Century.

Minister mandate actions vs 21st Century forest vision

A comparison of the  HFHC recommended 21st Century integrated forest sector vision items (https://www.bcforestconversation.com/bc-forest-renewal-vision-framework-update/)  with the forest related mandate items provided to each Minister by the Premier is in Minister mandates vs integrated 21st century forest sector vision.  Although the direction would contribute to the  recommended HFHC vision, they lack details and integration. Government still fails to provide legally binding forest resources management principles and vision for the 21st Century forest.  Also, there is no mention of increasing community knowledge related to forests, forest sector, etc. or re-building the forest resources research capacity.

BC Forest Renewal Vision Framework-Update

BC Government is proposing actions to renew the forest sector.  A BC forest renewal vision framework-Nov update provides a recommended framework for the 21st Century, including recommended actions.  It includes maintaining the positive components of the current forest sector and adding those to reflect the issues and challenges expected in the next Century.

Establishing a Working Forest-An alternative approach

The forest industry wants fibre security and proposes establishment of a Working Forest designation on a portion of the BC Crown land base.  This is a controversial proposal that has been rejected in the past.  However, the fibre security objective is sound.  A Working forest-alternative approach is proposed while still contributing to community resiliency and consistent with the BC forest renewal vision framework. 

BC Forest Renewal Vision Framework

Government has embarked upon the Revitalization/Renewal of the BC forest sector.  The BC forest renewal vision article provides a rationale, recommendations and implementation suggestions for a Provincial Forest Renewal Vision.  The vision will achieve the Government’s four (4) priority forest renewal goals and provide the infrastructure and necessary strategic regulation and policy actions to move to long-term forest stewardship and create a sustainable wood manufacturing sector that fully utilizes the available BC forest fibre.  Seven (7) infrastructure recommendations and twelve (12) priority strategic regulation and policy recommendations are provided.  The framework vision is intended to both update the current system and more effectively maintain and capitalize on the BC forest asset and subsequently community resiliency.

Bill 22-Forest Statutes Amendment Act-2019

Lawyer Jeff Waatainen outlines on page 25 of Bill 22 – Waatainen comments  the continued uncertainty created by Bill 22 and the associated Regulation. Not only is the “public interest” test still unclear as outlined previously in Bill 22 – comments but so is the application of the old and new definitions of  the other tests “unduly restrict competition” and “detrimental to competition.” Surely Government can clarify these tests and reduce the uncertainty they have generated within the industry, communities and investors.  This is not a trivial issue and needs immediate attention.