Region Archives: Canada West

Huu-ay-aht First Nations and C̕awak ʔqin Forestry are pleased to announce Honourable Minister Katrine Conroy as a keynote speaker at the Anacla Old Growth Summit on April 28, 2022. As the B.C. Minister of Forests, Katrine Conroy is responsible for the stewardship of provincial Crown land and ensures the sustainable management of forest, wildlife, water, and other land-based resources. The Ministry works with Indigenous and rural communities to strengthen and diversify their economies. Along with Minister Katrine Conroy, there will also be presentations from ‘Namgis First Nation, Skowkale First Nation, Huu-ay-aht First Nations and C̕awak ʔqin Forestry. …The summit is by invite only, but for those wishing to attend, a live stream has been set up for anyone to watch online.

VICTORIA – An audit of Gitxsan Forest Licence Inc. (GFLI) in the Skeena Stikine Natural Resource District found that the company met all requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act for planning and timber harvesting, as well as road construction and maintenance activities. However, GFLI did not meet reforestation requirements on a number of cutblocks that were harvested in 2004 and earlier by a previous owner of the forest licence. “Successfully reforesting harvested sites is a pillar of B.C.’s system of forest practices,” said Kevin Kriese, chair, Forest Practices Board. “Forestry licensees are required by law to achieve free-growing forests within a specified period and meeting this requirement is essential to maintain public confidence in B.C.’s forest management. “GFLI took over this tenure three years ago, and that transfer included the legal and financial obligation to achieve free growing on sites harvested by previous owners of the forest licence,” Kriese said.

As a new wildfire season approaches, many Canadians are reflecting on the devastating losses of last season, and considering what they can do to protect themselves and the places where they live.  Wildfires are becoming increasingly severe and unpredictable, but a new paper by UBC researchers and collaborators suggests a way forward. The authors reviewed fire management practices and recent wildfires in Canada and are recommending the revival of cultural burning, while moving towards Indigenous-led fire stewardship to better manage wildfire risks and promote healthy ecosystems.  Lead authors Dr. Kira Hoffman, an ecologist, former wildland firefighter and a postdoctoral research associate with the UBC faculty of forestry, and Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson, an Indigenous fire research scientist with the Canadian Forest Service, discuss their findings in this Q&A.

A couple of years ago many of us adopted new stay-at-home-hobbies. These hobbies included the now ubiquitous sourdough making, banana bread baking and, according to Vancouver Master Gardener Stephanie Rose – gardening. While the world seemed shut down all around us, many Vancouverites brought life back into their neighbourhoods by growing something themselves. With sustainability in mind, many of these new gardeners have built seed libraries all over the city in order to share their newfound hobby with others looking to connect to their community. …Rose breaks down permaculture in her new book, The Regenerative Garden. …These new gardens popping up all over Vancouver became more than just spaces to grow plants, they became spaces for community. …A prime example of this are the abundant seed libraries that are showing up more and more – melding community and sustainability all over the city.  

Members of the group Save Old Growth are in the midst of mounting a province-wide campaign aimed at raising public awareness and demanding government action on the matter of old-growth logging.   Their tactic: Block highways, intersections, off-ramps, and bridges in busy areas, predominantly in and around Metro Vancouver and Victoria.   …In a poll conducted on Vancouver Is Awesome, just over half of the local respondents indicated they agree with the sentiment of the protests but disagree blocking traffic is an appropriate action (52.85%).  Just under a fifth of local respondents (19.6%) indicated they believe blocking traffic on highways and bridges is a legitimate tactic to draw attention to an important cause, while the remaining respondents (27.54%) said they did not agree with either the position or the tactic.

David Elstone

Too often, when it comes to reductions in timber harvest the focus is on the headline number of direct job losses, glossing over what that means or who is actually affected. I have tallied up the different jobs necessary to cut a tree and deliver a log to a sawmill (or other primary manufacturing facilities). …Over 100 job types are required to ensure timber is sustainably planned, harvested, and delivered as well as regenerated. People that do these jobs are found in every community throughout the province, including the lower mainland and southern Vancouver Island. The diversity and breadth of these job types clearly indicate that forestry is complex. It’s a dynamic ecosystem of professionals, skilled workers, service providers and suppliers which is needed to make the industry function. When the timber harvest goes down, job losses affect each of these jobs to some degree. 

VICTORIA, BC — David Eby, Attorney General, has announced proposed amendments to the Professional Governance Act [that] oversees five regulatory bodies that regulate six professions: the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC; the Association of BC Forest Professionals; the BC Institute of Agrologists; the College of Applied Biologists; and the Engineers and Geoscientists of BC. …The proposed amendments will: enable regulatory bodies to address non-compliance with administrative matters, such as continuing education requirements, outside of the discipline process; …enable requirements for professionals to declare they are competent to provide their services… and enable requirements for professionals to declare they are competent to provide their services and that they are free from any conflicts of interest. …These amendments will also allow for the Architectural Institute of BC to be brought under the act this year, and for more professions in the future.

Kyle Ackles and family

After working in logging and construction for many years, Steve Ackles wanted something different. He underwent a career assessment, which suggested a conservation officer might be a job better suited for him. In his 40s, he went back to university to train for this new role, becoming a conservation officer in 2005. He wore the badge proudly and was the epitome of a conservation officer – passionate about protecting the environment, fish and wildlife, with an unmatched work ethic. …Sgt. Steve Ackles passed away after a lengthy illness in March 2021 but left an indelible mark on the Conservation Officer Service. His legacy lives on with his colleagues around the province, who remember Steve as an enthusiastic officer, valued mentor, patient supervisor, COS Society president and more. Steve Ackles is the 28th recipient of the Conservation Officer of the Year award. Awarded posthumously, his son, Kyle Ackles accepted the award on his behalf. 

Additional coverage in CKPG Today, by Thomas Doucet: Sgt. Steve Ackles named Conservation Officer of the Year

Saturday morning, 300 community firefighters from across the province woke up in Penticton to begin a weekend where they’d learn to be even better firefighters. This weekend they’d focus on “interface’ and “intermix” wildfires — the names given to fires that border upon neighbourhoods (interface) or where housing and vegetation intermingle (intermix). Essentially the type of incident where community firefighters get called into duty alongside personnel from BC Wildfire. It was the first full day of the 2022 Wildfire Urban Interface Symposium, an annual event put together primarily by the Penticton Fire Department. And the instruction and the activities Saturday were spread throughout the city and region. There were multiple classroom sessions at the Lakeside Resort. There were multiple “Boots on the Ground” exercises at adjacent Rotary Park. And there were multiple mock scenarios playing out at various interface and intermix situations in the greater Penticton area.

One person was arrested during Monday morning’s rush hour in the latest blockade of the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge by a group protesting logging in B.C.’s old growth forests. …The group Save Old Growth says 85 people have been arrested so far and that they have no plans to stop the disruptions. …Forests Minister Katrine Conroy defended the province’s logging policy and said the protesters were not garnering support by making people angry. “We’ve already deferred over 1.7 million hectares of old growth. Just to put that in perspective, it’s equivalent to over 4,000 Stanley Parks,” said Conroy. But Save Old Growth supporters argue that deferring old growth logging is not the same as saving the trees. …”While we support individual rights to peaceful protests, blocking a highway is a criminal act and will not be tolerated,” said Cpl. Alex Bérubé of the B.C. RCMP.

The Alberni Valley Curling Club was one of numerous entities that held cleanups for Earth Day. Mosaic Forest Management joined with KNK Ventures to hold a cleanup on Shoemaker Bay Road near the Sproat Yard. Mosaic Management was primarily looking for illegal dump sites on their property. “Illegal dumping on Mosaic lands significantly impacts forest health and our decisions around developing recreational opportunities on our private forest lands,” said Mosaic Director of Sustainability, Molly Hudson. “We’re grateful to the many volunteers who show their support for clean outdoor spaces on Earth Day and every day. …illegal dumping …costs Mosaic close to $100,000 every year (from illegally dumped cars to mattresses), money that could be better spent on expanding recreational activities on our private land. Mosaic has committed to reinvesting any savings in illegal dumping costs in 2022 compared to 2021 into community environmental programs.”

George Heyman

…on April 22 three supporters of Nanaimo hunger striker Howard Breen made an unannounced visit to Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman. …Heyman gave the visitors 15 minutes of his time between other scheduled events. The visitors to Heyman’s office wanted him to publicly endorse the demand from Breen and another hunger striker, Brent Eichler, for Forests Minister Katrine Conroy to hold a public meeting to discuss old-growth forests. “I understand a lot of people would like me to do that but she’s the minister responsible,” Heyman said in a tape recording of the meeting, which the Straight obtained. “I can’t speak for her.” …”I’m not saying the issue isn’t serious or the threat to their health isn’t serious,” the minister continued. “It is a door, I think, for others to regularly do something similar. That creates a very awkward situation, frankly, for members of the government.” 

People are already standing together to stop a plan to log a section of old growth forest near Argenta. Last weekend an environmental protest camp was set up near Argenta, with support from local environmentalists and at the invitation of the Autonomous Sinixt, Last Stand West Kootenay (LSWK) — a grassroots collective, non-profit group — intends “to help protect part one of the most significant wilderness areas in southeastern B.C.,” noted a LSWK press release on Monday. “The Argenta-Johnsons Landing Face is an ecologically diverse mountainside, important to wildlife and home to old growth spruce, cedar and rare 300-plus-year-old western larch,” the release explained. For several years BC Parks has suggested the importance of protecting this land, according to the release, but Cooper Creek Cedar (owned by Porcupine Wood Products) has been permitted access to five clear-cut blocks, “some of which contain potential priority one old growth.”

When Beth Patterson and her partner Nels Olson moved to Avola, BC, they were surprised to see brown water “running like chocolate milk” out of their taps.  …The next day, Olson walked north, following the creek up steep, overgrown terrain.  Eventually, he came across a new logging road that was being constructed above the creek about two kilometres from their property.  …Patterson and Olson tracked down contacts at BCTS, who said they would send out a representative to assess the situation.  …When their water tests showed high levels of E. coli, heavy metals and uranium, they reached out to the Forest Practices Board.

Archie Little & Jack Woodward

VANCOUVER — The lawyer for a B.C. First Nation challenging the province in a land rights trial says the government’s decision not to adjust the case based on its own new litigation directives “undermines the process of reconciliation.” The province announced the development of “a new approach to litigation” on Thursday as part of its process to implement its legislation adopting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It included 20 directives for the Crown to prioritize resolution and negotiated settlement, while reducing the potential for legal action over Indigenous rights and title. …The Nuchatlaht’s lawsuit claims the B.C. and federal governments have denied their rights by approving logging and “effectively dispossessing” them of the land. In a court transcript supplied by the Nuchatlaht’s legal team, Crown attorney Jeff Echols said Thursday the province knew about the directives before their release and does not intend to adjust its arguments for trial.

The International Order of Hoo-Hoo: The Fraternal Order of the Forest Products Industry, is one of the longest standing industry service clubs in the world. The men and women of this historic fraternal order support local charitable organizations, education programs and the community. If you work in the forest and lumber sector, you’ve likely heard of this enigmatic club. On Vancouver Island, the Cowichan Valley Hoo-Hoo Club recently hosted their Spring Social and Reverse Draw. The event features an impressive barbecue and expertly prepared steaks! Members of the board presented the ongoing good works of the club in the restoration of the Hillcrest Lumber Co. Shay #1 at the BC Forest Discover Centre in Duncan. The club has been instrumental in overhauling the locomotive, contributing funds and manpower in the project. 

Josie Osborne

Josie Osborne seems careful with her words as she talks about her new job. The former mayor of Tofino, turned MLA, is heading up the new B.C. Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship and is the minister responsible for fisheries. But through her political composure are glimpses of a lifestyle associated with the little west coast community. …Osborne first moved to Tofino in 1998, just a few years after the region made national headlines during the infamous “War in the Woods,” one of the largest acts of civil disobedience in Canadian history. Fresh out of graduate school, she worked as a fisheries biologist for the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. It was here that she first came face-to-face with conflict around resources, environment and Indigenous Rights in terms of the impacts of fish farms on wild salmon populations. 

Tensions between Metro Vancouver commuters and old growth logging protesters came to a head Thursday morning. Video captured on the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge shortly after 7 a.m., shows angry drivers dragging the protesters out of their way. It was the 10th blockade led by Save Old Growth on a Metro Vancouver highway in April so far. …It’s said it knows its actions are frustrating for commuters, but believes creating noticeable disruptions is the only way to get the province to do something. If Thursday morning’s clash is any indication though, drivers have had about enough. “I’ve got to get to work,” one commuter is heard saying in the video posted to Save Old Growth’s Twitter page. …Police officers enter the frame soon after and the video ends.

BC’s war in the woods over old growth has bled out onto the streets, with protesters now resorting to blocking highways. …The group, Save Old Growth, is not the same one that was leading the months-long protests against old growth logging at Fairy Creek. But the Fairy Creek action appears to have mostly sputtered out [and] some activists have splintered off and turned to the highway disruptions instead. But the province appeared ready. It seized vehicles associated with one Vancouver protest under the Civil Forfeiture Act, leaving the protesters without wheels. …Premier John Horgan has long tuned out the extreme elements of the environmental movement, and hasn’t suffered any voter blowback for doing so. …In the meantime, the government is making slow progress on old growth deferrals. …But even if the government were to save a majority of the identified forests it wouldn’t be good enough for the protesters.

I want to share a story about an experience I had at Fairy Creek… I am appealing to all those who seek to oppose the power of Canadian capitalism, and especially to my fellow workers in silviculture, to channel the frustrations of the electoral system, the anxieties of the climate crisis, and the guilt of existing as a majority settler population on stolen land, into the effective tradition of solidarity unionism. Instead of accepting an industry that acts in lockstep with other resource-based industries in Canada by creating boom and bust cycles in rural towns, destabilizing our environment, and furthering a history of systemic racism at the whim of multinational corporations, we can organize as a workforce. We can advocate for scientifically grounded environmental planning, and fight against a legacy of colonial violence towards Indigenous peoples. I am now dealing with the legal consequences of my participation in the blockades. 

Nanaimo, BC — Community volunteers and partners will join Mosaic Forest Management in marking the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day with a series of cleanup events on Mosaic and adjacent forest lands across Vancouver Island. The Earth Day 2022 theme is ‘Invest In Our Planet’, and that’s what hardworking volunteers will do on April 23 when they join local cleanup efforts targeting the problem of illegal dumping. “Illegal dumping on Mosaic lands significantly impacts forest health and our decisions around developing recreational opportunities on our private forest lands,” said Mosaic Director of Sustainability, Molly Hudson. “We’re grateful to the many volunteers who show their support for clean outdoor spaces on Earth Day and every day.” …illegal dumping continues to be a significant problem. It costs Mosaic close to $100,000 every year to recover everything from illegally dumped cars to mattresses, money that could be better spent on expanding recreational activities on our private land. 

Lisa Ferentinos wades through underbrush before descending into a small ravine dominated by a cluster of old-growth cedars. …She’s one member of a tiny B.C. island community preparing for a potential tussle with logging giant Mosaic Forest Management, which recently announced a three-year plan to restart harvesting timber on Cortes after a prolonged absence. Ferentinos is part of a small advance team ground-truthing Mosaic’s privately owned cutblocks — counting and measuring the biggest trees along with important wetlands, water courses and other sensitive habitat. …Mosaic, which owns more than eight per cent of the island’s land base (1,085 hectares), plans to log 11 hectares annually from 2022 to 2024. The company has promised not to harvest trees that are more than 200 years old, avoid individual old-growth trees if operationally possible, and meet or exceed the more stringent provincial regulations around wetland setbacks on Crown land.

Time has run out and now forestry must change very quickly. UN climate change report… “About half of total net [agriculture, forestry and other land use] emissions are from CO2 [land use, land use change, and forestry], predominantly from deforestation.” …I remember in the 1980s growing up here in Port Alberni, the forest companies were talking about selective logging, small forestry, and reforestation. I know politics and social media have made it feel like any reduction in logging is a threat to people, but it isn’t. We do have companies that create jobs by using every last inch of all types of wood. Port Alberni can be and needs to be a leader in creating and managing living forests.

The Alberta government has released landmark plans for two caribou ranges in the province’s north, but conservationists and Indigenous groups say they don’t go far enough to protect species habitat.  The plans, which are the first of their kind, outline a “made-in-Alberta” response to a deal made with the federal government in 2020 to develop a recovery strategy for the province’s caribou. They cover two regions where woodland caribou herds exist ⁠— Cold Lake and Bistcho Lake ⁠— and include restoration initiatives, maps of sensitive areas and proposed limits and opportunities for industry. …Gillian Chow-Fraser, a boreal program manager with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, said… they don’t go far enough to provide effective protection for the species. …The plans outline a commitment from forestry companies to cluster their activities into fewer larger areas to avoid new road construction and further fragmented habitat, which Campbell said is encouraging. 

More than $600,000 in provincial grants has been given to West Kootenay communities to support wildfire-risk-reduction initiatives, including nearly $150,000 to Nelson. Out of a total of $609,000, the City of Nelson secured $147,667 to assist in education, planning, emergency planning, cross-training, interagency co-operation, FireSmart activities in residential areas and fuel management. Overall, the provincial government provided more than $2.1 million in grants to 13 local governments in the Southeast Fire Centre to support wildfire-risk-reduction initiatives. The Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) grants are part of more than $13 million provided to 107 recipients throughout B.C. following the latest application intake in the program’s FireSmart Community Funding and Supports category. …The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) operates the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program, processing grant applications in partnership with the Ministry of Forests and the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society of British Columbia.

According to Chinook Community Forest General Manager Ken Nielsen, Chinook is not committed to the two year old growth deferral process, which was implemented by the province in November 2o21. The provincial government has been receiving responses from First Nations groups across B.C. after notifications were sent out when the announcement was made. In a meeting with the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako natural resource committee members in March, Luke Weyman from the Ministry of Forests indicated that the responses from First Nations have been mixed, especially in the local area. …Nielsen had this to say about Chinook’s decision, “Chinook Community Forest was not surprised by the announcement of the old growth deferrals, however, we are disappointed on how the current government rolled the announcement out. Managing and recruiting for old growth is important to Chinook. Chinook will engage with stakeholders and community at large for managing old growth.”

Vancouver, British Columbia – Western Forest Products Inc. and Nuchatlaht First Nation confirm that Nuchatlaht has formally discontinued its claim against Western in its Aboriginal title case currently underway in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. On April 5, 2022, Nuchatlaht filed a Notice of Discontinuance with the Court, ending all proceedings against Western. Nuchatlaht Chief Jordan Michael acknowledged that, during the five years of proceedings leading up to the trial, Western never disputed Nuchatlaht’s claim of Aboriginal title to their lands on Nootka Island, and expressed appreciation for the fact that Western will not seek court costs for its participation in the case to date. “Our main fight has always been with the Province, who continues to deny our title. We’ve worked constructively with Western in the past, and hope to do so again in the future.”