The Province, the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and seven Carrier Sekani First Nations have completed an agreement that will increase the First Nations’ participation in the forest economy, while setting the stage to advance reconciliation.

Under the BC Rural Dividend, the provincial government is providing $100,000 to the Fort Nelson region.

Opportunities for increased local forest stewardship near Likely and Big Lake, east of Williams Lake, could become reality following an invitation from Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson to the Likely-Xatśūll Community Forest and Big Lake Community Association to apply for a community forest agreement.

Economic opportunities and participation are a central part of reconciliation with B.C. First Nations.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has been issued a pesticide use permit to aerial-spray 182 hectares of residences, park and farm land around Elk Lake in Saanich with a spray approved for use on organic farms, to eradicate a growing population of gypsy moth and minimize the risk they pose to forests, farms, orchards and trees.

The next phase of the logging contractor sustainability review is underway, as the Province works to improve the competitiveness of British Columbia forest sector contractors and licensees.

Effective March 24, 2017, the allowable annual cut for Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd.’s Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 55 near Revelstoke, is 83,000 cubic metres.

Opportunities for greater input into local forest management are expanding near Fort Nelson following an invitation from Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson to the Fort Nelson First Nation and Northern Rockies Regional Municipality to apply for a community forest agreement.

The Province is providing $95,000 so 10 Aboriginal students in the Campbell River-area can learn the skills needed for employment in the British Columbia road building and forestry machinery sector.

The Government of British Columbia is taking action under the Climate Leadership Plan to support investments by natural gas utilities that will increase the use of LNG and renewable natural gas in the transportation, marine and other sectors and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.