Northern B.C. underscored its importance to the rest of the province during a provincial study session exploring challenges in the resource sector [at] the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference. It comes on the heels of the two latest mill closures in B.C. including one in Vanderhoof. Councillor Brian Frenkel underscored what those closures mean to northern B.C. Given northern B.C.’s susceptibility to economic swings, Frenkel called on government to do more than consult and finally fulfill promises to improve regional infrastructure. …Another point of discussion has been the role of community forests representing about four per cent of the annual harvest. Garry Jackman, Director for the Central Kootenay Regional District, said he would like to see more community forests pointing to regional initiatives. But he also questioned their economic return. Jennifer Gunter, executive director of the B.C. Community Forest Association, acknowledged that community forests fetch lower stumpage fees.