Premier Christy Clark will be the first Premier in over 40 years to attend an official function at Buckingham Palace. She will be attending The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy Initiative recognition ceremony.

This prestigious recognition highlights the collaborative and world-leading approach British Columbia led with First Nations, environmental groups and forest companies to balance environmental and economic needs in the 6.4-million-hectare Great Bear Rainforest.

The reception to be held Nov. 15 at Buckingham Palace follows on the visit by Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to B.C. in September.

While in London, Premier Clark will also be attending meetings at Canada House along with Canada’s High Commissioner to the U.K., business leaders, and key investors interested in potential opportunities in B.C. Discussions will centre around the importance of B.C.’s trade relations post-Brexit with the U.K. and Europe.

As a lasting legacy, the Province is creating the $1-million Great Bear Rainforest Education and Awareness Trust. Trust funds will be used to support various activities, including:

• Developing teacher and student resources centered on the Great Bear Rainforest that’s aligned to B.C.’s new curriculum.
• Raising public awareness of the Great Bear Rainforest and the people who have lived on B.C.’s Central and North Coast for more than 12,000 years.
• Resource management practices and supporting ongoing research.
• Investing in and support broader resource management based education, awareness and understanding in the Great Bear Rainforest area.

More information about the Great Bear Rainforest and how the public can get involved is available online at www.gov.bc.ca/greatbearrainforest.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy was launched in 2015 with the goal of uniting the Commonwealth’s 53 members in conserving forests for future generations. The initiative, in The Queen’s name, will raise the awareness of the Commonwealth’s 2.3 billion citizens of the value of saving forests and facilitate knowledge exchange between Commonwealth members, sharing best practices and creating new, collaborative initiatives for forest conservation.

Quote:

Premier Christy Clark –

“It is an honour to represent British Columbia at Buckingham Palace and receive this latest award for the achievements in the Great Bear Rainforest. Many people worked for many years to save this special place for future generations―we consider it our gift to the world.” 

Quick Facts:

• Agreements were reached between the Province of B.C., Coastal First Nations, and Nanwakolas Council for management of the Great Bear Rainforest, based on recommendations from three environmental groups (Greenpeace, Sierra Club BC, and Stand) and five forest companies (BC Timber Sales, Catalyst Paper, Howe Sound Pulp & Paper, Interfor, and Western Forest Products).

Learn More:

The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy: www.queenscommonwealthcanopy.org

The Great Bear Rainforest: www.gov.bc.ca/greatbearrainforest