In British Columbia, there is a shared commitment to ensure that the province is a place where the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples are recognized, and Indigenous Peoples can thrive.

Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

On June 29, 2021, the B.C. Supreme Court issued a historic ruling in Blueberry River First Nations (Yahey) v. Province of British Columbia, determining the Treaty 8 rights of the Blueberry River First Nations have been breached by development authorized by the provincial government over many years.

As we celebrate Canada’s National Forest Week, it’s time to reflect on the sector’s importance to the people of British Columbia.

We all know about or have personally felt the effects of the forestry industry’s downturn over the last few years.

We all know about or have personally felt the effects of the forestry industry’s downturn over the last few years.

Mount Elphinstone, located on the west side of Howe Sound between Gibsons and Sechelt on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, is designated as provincial forest. Current land use supports management for a variety of values, including forestry, water, wildlife and recreation.

The people of B.C. work hard, and they expect a government that works hard for them. As we begin a new session of the Legislature, the first for our new government, our focus is getting results for people.

British Columbia’s forest industry is facing difficult times. In the Interior, the end of the pine beetle cut, lower prices for lumber, and back-to-back catastrophic wildfire seasons have led to a number of sawmill closures. This has created hardship for workers and uncertainty for the communities that depend on forestry for their livelihoods.

Recently, I introduced new legislation that will better protect thousands of people coming to work in B.C. under the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program.