Arising out the BC Government’s Modernizing Forest Policy intentions has come some recently introduced legislative changes, with amendments to the Forest and Range Practices Act. …One important positive change is the introduction of shared decision making with government and First Nations in the development of forest landscape plans. This change represents further steps to reconciliation and greater (and direct) assertion of the Indigenous voice at the forest landscape planning level. Looking at the big picture, the following is my offering of considerations:

• MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIP building by industry participants with First Nations will be critical to ensure a steady supply of fibre to mills.
• NO GUARANTEES that First Nations owning tenure and harvesting timber will help achieve economic self-determination. Tenure management is not easy and is costly. 
• CAPACITY is a critical element for success. Finding experienced staff to work for government will be a major pinch point as it increases its role in forest management.
• UNCERTAINTIES are part and parcel of operating in the natural resource sector today.
• INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE A SMALLER INDUSTRY – landscape level planning, old growth deferrals, wildfires, at risk wildlife species habitat management – all will likely contribute to reductions in AAC.
• COLONIALISM & RETURN MAXIMIZATION  I would like to see and help more First Nations move further along the value chain with their harvested timber, maximizing returns to their communities.

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