Ravi Parmar

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — B.C.’s minister of forests considers the Peace region and the northeast “the engine” of the province and its economy. Ravi Parmar spent several days earlier in July visiting Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and other territories in the northeast to learn more about the region. …“This [area] is the engine of British Columbia, in so many ways,” Parmar said. …“I think we often forget that much of that money to be able to pay for good quality infrastructure and services comes from the hardworking people here in the Peace country, and in the Liard as well.”  …He also said he recognizes the forestry industry in the northeast has struggled through recent years, between global shifts like the ongoing trade war with the United States, mill closures and repeated severe wildfire seasons.