Hundreds gathered on the steps of the B.C. Legislature in Victoria on Sunday, calling for a “paradigm shift” in how the province approaches forestry and old-growth logging. The event, organized by Elders for Ancient Trees, was the flagship event in a series of rallies planned to take place over the weekend and coming weeks. …organizers say approximately 400 people attended the rally. According to Jackie Larkin, one of the event organizers, the date was selected to coincide with the return of MLAs to the legislature — but says with an election now imminent, the timing couldn’t have been better. “We’re extremely distressed about the state of old-growth in this province and the fact that it keeps getting logged, despite the promises from the government to stop logging and to defer and to protect the ancient trees,” said Larkin. Elders for Ancient Trees … advocates to defer old-growth logging, stop clear-cutting, and stop exporting raw logs.

Additional coverage in the Castanet by Sarah Crookall: Penticton protesters rally for protection of B.C. old-growth forests