Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, has released the following statement in response to Paper Excellence’s announcement of indefinite curtailment of its Catalyst Paper tiskʷat mill at Powell River:

Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, and Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, have issued the following joint statement in response to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s final determination in its second administrative review regarding countervailing and anti-dumping duties applied to Canada’s softwood lumber exports to the United States:

British Columbians and employers will learn the economic value of apprenticeships, thanks to a study funded by the B.C. government and the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum - Forum Canadien sur l’Apprentissage (CAF-FCA).

A new commission will provide advice on strengthening the long-term stability of jobs and economic recovery in B.C.’s forestry industry.

In line with government’s vision for forest care, the Province has introduced legislation to help build a more diverse and inclusive forest sector that works for people.

‘Na̲mg̲is First Nation and the Province have signed a letter of intent to negotiate a Forestry Reconciliation Agreement that, along with an updated Forestry Fund Agreement, will enhance governance capacity, develop a sustainable forestry program and improve the social, economic and cultural well-being of people in the community.

Two community forest awards, along with $10,000 grants, have been awarded to the West Boundary Community Forest for 2020 and the Westbank First Nation for 2021.

The Province has introduced legislation that will make B.C.’s approach to forests more focused on sustainability, return more benefits to people and local communities, and position B.C. to take full advantage of future economic opportunities through long-term planning.