The Province of British Columbia finished 2016 with a record number of jobs created, the lowest unemployment rate in Canada, expanded economic activity and increased exports in key market sectors.

Trade missions are an important part of British Columbia’s strategy to support economic growth and job creation throughout the province, as well as BC Jobs Plan objectives.

Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson has issued the following statement in response to a ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission:

The Great Bear Rainforest (Forest Management) Act is set to take effect Jan. 1, 2017, following the enactment of regulations that bring the act into force and fulfill government’s commitment to ecosystem-based management in the Great Bear Rainforest.

The Province has extended the reduced fee in place for log exports in the Mid-Coast Timber Supply Area until June 2018 to support forestry jobs in the area.

Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson is leading a delegation of more than 25 senior executives from B.C.’s forest companies and associations to Japan and China from Nov. 24 to Dec. 3, 2016.

Comments are being accepted until Jan. 16, 2017, on a discussion paper released as part of a comprehensive timber supply review for the Arrowsmith Timber Supply Area.

Oct. 23-29, 2016, is Hungarian Cultural Week in British Columbia, acknowledging the role and contributions Hungarian refugees have made economically, socially and culturally to the province.

In response to UBCM Resolution C-27, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson re-affirmed government’s commitment to Vancouver Island’s old growth forests and stated there was no need to cease logging.