British Columbia's International Trade and Investment Representatives are hitting the road to continue their tour of communities and regions throughout the province.

The B.C. government has created over 3,000 seats for skills training in colleges and universities throughout the province with an $18.7-million investment.

The B.C. government is introducing a single cutting permit procedure to make it easier for local governments, First Nations and other non-commercial organizations throughout the province to harvest timber from community forests.

Commitment to forest renewal through nine sustained and 11 new actions are contained in government's action plan to increase the mid-term timber supply, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

First Nation forestry businesses throughout British Columbia will continue to receive the technical support they need to succeed, thanks to an additional $400,000 provided by the government of B.C.

First Nations students will receive specific training and be better skilled, thanks to a new two-year educational support program that will help ensure they have the opportunity to participate successfully in British Columbia's forest sector.

The B.C. government and Gitanyow Nation have reached a reconciliation agreement that will lead to shared decision-making and allow the Gitanyow to explore economic opportunities associated with the development of the Northwest Transmission Line.

New harvest levels for Haida Gwaii have been determined by B.C.'s deputy chief forester Jim Sutherland.