Over the last few months, the BC forest sector has increasingly been the beneficiary of broad proclamations by many who work outside of the sector about an upcoming “paradigm shift” and “transformative future” in the management of BC’s forests. For some, these are apparently new and wise revelations worthy of our everlasting gratitude. The reality is that many of us have been around long enough to know that for decades, these terms have been bandied around repeatedly when each generation believes they have found the grand solution to the forestry issues of the day. These many decades have also seen the ebb and flow of the lobbying influence each faction in the debates can harness for their agendas dependent upon the government’s leanings in any particular election cycle. Today, many would say the pendulum is weighted towards environmental influences, while others will argue the industry’s influences were dominant in previous times. There is probably merit on both sides of the argument.

When was the last time all of those with a stake in our province’s forests collaborated on the development of a true vision for the future of BC’s forests? …Perhaps Pearse’s Royal Commission qualifies, but that was 47 years ago. I think it’s fair to say things have changed a bit since then. …What would those broader discussions and the development of a collaborative vision entail? …The question is whether all of those involved want to work on that solution to the broader benefit of all of us collectively or continue the current course of trying to outgun each other with lobbyists to Victoria.