By Cheryl Jahn

Jobs Minister comments on forest deferrals

Mar 17, 2022 | 3:00 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – During a visit to the city yesterday, Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon was asked about his message to forestry workers as a result of mill closure in light of the deferral of 2.6 million hectares of old growth forest. His response was unexpected.

“We know, for example, that many First Nations within this region have said ‘We don’t want any deferrals. In fact, we have strong working relationships with forest companies, with communities and we’re happy the way the practices of harvesting are happening.’ And we respect that and we will acknowledge that in the decision-making,” says Minister Kahlon.

And he is right.

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Forestry is a big deal to many of the First Nations in the North, including the Lheidli T’enneh.

“The [government] talked to the First Nations down on the Coast. Williams Lake up, we’re forestry,” notes Chief Dolleen Logan of the Lheidli T’enneh.

The announcement was made by Forests Minister Katrine Conroy in early November and it immediately drew fire from forest companies, the Council of Forest Industries, local governments, and First Nations alike.

And it was the latter Minister Kahlon addressed when asked if the deferral plans are not as much of a done deal as many believe them to be.

“It will depend on First Nations telling us what they would like to do on their traditional lands. That is a commitment we made. We’ve signed on to UNDRIP and this is an important piece. Each nation will decide what they would like to see harvested, what they would like see deferred in their traditional territories.”

But Chief Logan makes another observation.

“If you talk to the mayor of McBride and he says ‘You might as well roll up our streets.’ This doesn’t affect just First Nations, it affects everyone in BC. Especially from Williams Lake up.”

So is there a glimmer of hope for Chief Logan?

“I’m hoping. I’m hoping if all Northern BC gets together and says ‘No.’ We all stand united. This is what we need to do. Northern BC needs to stand united. ”

The McLeod Lake Indian Band and the Tsay Keh Dene First Nation recently bought Canfor’s assets in Mackenzie for $70 million, complete with the forest tenure.