Many of the Forest Practices Board recommendations https://tinyurl.com/ycoz59cn are supportive of the HFHC recommendations as well.

The dissatisfaction with the current forest management decision-making system has been actively discussed for over two decades, commonly in the form of tenure reform and more local/community control.  These are not of interest to the key governing bodies (Government & industry) and consequently, discounted.  A Governance model-a conceptual framework is presented as a more acceptable option within the existing system.

Local Governments CAN influence forest land management decision-making through both their mandates and access to existing instruments as the “keeper of the social license.”  A mechanism for meaningful engagement on a continuous basis within the community and with decision-makers is essential for sustainable influence.  

The recent Confidence and Supply Agreement between the BC NDP and the BC Greens includes three (3) forestry related items. These are discussed (NDP-BC Greens forestry agreements)  relative to the previous community recommendations.

The results of the May 9, 2017 Provincial election suggest there is a high potential for a Minority Government with the BC Greens holding the deciding vote on legislative issues and supporting retention of power by either the BC Liberals or NDP.  Negotiations are on-going between the BC Greens and both the BC Liberals and NDP regarding key issues of each Party. Forestry-related Party negotiations-recommended priorities  are provided.

An update comparison of the current (April 24th) BC Liberals, BC NDP and BC Greens election platform commitments regarding forestry are presented in Political forestry commitments-2017 election-update.  Overall, the commitments are a major disappointment but the BC NDP and BC Greens have a few interesting suggestions.  The BC Liberals have adopted a status quo approach.  In summary:

The BC Liberals, BC NDP and BC Greens have identified:

• Market access as one of their priorities
• A desire to increase the Secondary (value-added) Wood Manufacturing Sector which would add to the economic diversity of communities

The long-term forest stewardship commitments vary between the Parties:

• The BC Liberals have made short-term commitments to long-term forest stewardship as reflected in initiatives introduced in the latter part of 2016 and early in 2017 prior to the election call plus a new commitment to addressing the bark beetle issue in the northern interior
• The BC NDP has only one specific commitment to long-term forest stewardship and that is reflected in expanding investments in reforestation
• The BC Greens have focused on changes to forest management infrastructure as part of generating sustainable long-term forest management but have not identified specific forest management actions.

A comparison of the current (April 17th) political party election platform commitments regarding forestry are presented in Political forestry commitments-2017 election.  Overall, the commitments of both the BC Liberals and the BC NDP are a major disappointment.  They are too general, lack meaningful actions and overall do not reflect the recommendations from BC concerned citizens. They are grossly deficient in dealing with the major issues such as forest sector infrastructure, forest management practices, community involvement in strategic decision-making regarding their local forests and adequate forest management compliance and enforcement.  Comments and a recommendation regarding refining their election platforms are provided.

There is an opportunity to build on the positive results of the TLA communities survey   (http://www.tla.ca/furtherperspectives) while generating the leadership needed to implement the HFHC dialogue community recommendations.  Building on the TLA Communities Survey Report outlines how this could be accomplished if the TLA or someone else adopts the leadership role.

Bill Bourgeois Banning log exports opinion

The topic of banning log exports is increasing in popularity again.  Even if more logs were available to the secondary wood manufactures (value-added producers) it would not necessarily result in an increase in their products.  Not all remanufacturers are limited by timber/fibre supply.  However, those who are need a long-term fibre supply at a competitive cost.  There are barriers are certainty of timber/fibre supply and a desirable investment climate.

Bill Bourgeois provides his opinions in Long-term stewardship-summary report regarding the progress made in delivering on the recommendations arising out of the 2011-2013 HFHC dialogue.  Although there have been activities on 82% of the 22 selected recommendations, most of the action appear to be in response to political issues or of limited impact on moving toward the HFHC vision and goals for BC forests.

Article – May 2014 – Forest Practices Board Special Report-A decade in review (FPB SR46-A-Decade-in-Review)

The FPB evaluation of nine (9) Forest and Range Practices Act framework elements rated performance fair to poor in all but forest practices which got a Board rating of good.