In recognition of this year’s theme for Sept. 18-24, 2016, National Forest Week, “True North – Strong and Green”, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson has released the following statement:

Effective immediately, Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 57 on the west coast of Vancouver Island will have an area-based allowable annual cut level of 222 hectares, chief forester Diane Nicholls announced.

It has been more than 60 years since the Cheslatta people were displaced from their homes and cultural sites to make way for construction of Kenny Dam in northwestern B.C. The Cheslatta Carrier Nation and the B.C. Government signed a framework agreement designed to help heal historic wounds and shape a better future.

Forestry is one of B.C.’s key economic sectors and the Province and the BC First Nations Forestry Council (BCFNFC) have announced a new labour market partnership project.

The provincial government released its agenda to enhance the competitiveness of B.C.’s forest sector so that it continues to make investments and provide family-supporting jobs in communities throughout the province.

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond and Parliamentary Secretary Greg Kyllo gave an update on British Columbia’s economic progress since the BC Jobs Plan release in 2011 and a preview of where the jobs plan is headed in the five-year update later this fall.

Effective August 29, 2016, the allowable annual cut for Western Forest Products’ Tree Farm Licence 39 is 1,416,300 cubic metres.

The Province of British Columbia now has $9.6 million in Canada-BC Job Grant funding available to help employers provide skills training to current or new employees.

The Province has issued a First Nations woodland licence to Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band, enhancing employment and economic opportunities in the region.