Ravi Kahlon, Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, has released the following statement in response to the permanent closure of the Tolko Industries lumber mill in Kelowna:

Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, will be joined by 35 senior executives from B.C. forest companies and associations as he leads his third forestry trade mission to Asia.

Premier John Horgan met with Chief Ken Cameron of the Saulteau First Nations and Chief Roland Willson of the West Moberly First Nations on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, to discuss moving forward with a leaders’ table to support the recovery of the endangered central group of the southern mountain caribou, while maintaining the social and economic well-being of communities in the northeast region of British Columbia.

Tree harvesting will take place on about 105 hectares of Crown land east of Cranbrook over the winter to reduce the amount of forest fuels and help lower the wildfire risk to the community.

The new allowable annual cut (AAC) for Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 61 near Sooke is 121,000 cubic metres, announced Shane Berg, deputy chief forester.

With many parts of British Columbia experiencing colder weather and more people lighting their fireplaces and wood stoves, residents are reminded that anyone who cuts, collects or uses firewood must ensure that it is harvested legally.

The Province is providing $6.5 million over three years for caribou habitat restoration in British Columbia.

Howie Griessel, his wife Shari and son Kevin are being recognized by the Province through the Minister’s Award for Innovation and Excellence in Woodlot Management for the Coast.

The Freer family is being recognized by the Province through the Minister’s Award for Innovation and Excellence in Woodlot Management for the South.