Media Contacts

Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Media Relations
GCPEWLRS.Media@gov.bc.ca
250-419-8775

Backgrounders

Facts about the project
  • Gwa’ni is a ’Na̱mg̱is name for the Nimpkish River.
  • The word “Nimpkish” is an anglicized term referring to ’Na̱mg̱is.
  • The Gwa’ni Land Use Planning Project covers more than 166,000 hectares on Vancouver Island within the Nimpkish River watershed south of Port McNeill.
  • It includes most of the Upper and Lower Nimpkish areas of land identified for long-term planning of resource management activities within ’Na̱mg̱is Territory.
  • Land-use plans establish strategic direction to guide sustainable resource stewardship of provincial public land and water, setting high-level direction to define what can occur on the land base and where.
  • Land-use plans and land-use planning processes only apply to public (Crown) land.
  • People can continue to access Crown land in a land use planning area for recreation, hunting and other activities, in accordance with the existing management direction for that area.
Report on public engagement available

The B.C. government facilitated extensive discussions, including open houses and other public engagement opportunities, with project partners, First Nations, industry, communities, members of the public, stakeholders, and other interested parties as the Gwa’ni Land Use Planning Project progressed.

The Gwa’ni Land Use Planning Project Team sought input from stakeholders to ensure that their interests, values and concerns would be considered throughout the life of the project. In the spring and fall of 2021, letters and postcards were sent to stakeholders and interest groups to announce the project and inform them of upcoming engagement opportunities. An online public survey was also launched to gather feedback from a broader audience. In 2021, five virtual meetings were held with local government representatives and key stakeholder groups.

Feedback received during these sessions has been summarized in the Gwa’ni Project Engagement Report: What We Heard, which is available online: https://www.planninginpartnership.ca/api/document/66be79265e4805003904c945/fetch/2024_8_13_GWANI_LUP_What_We_Heard__FINAL.pdf

Additional engagement opportunities in 2023 and 2024 informed the development of the project technical team’s consensus recommendations. A 60-day public review and comment period related to the ministerial orders ran from Sept. 19 to Nov. 18, 2025.

A detailed list of engagement activities and results can be found here: https://planninginpartnership.ca/p/6038070ec65ea900200bbf5a/commenting

What people are saying about the Gwa'ni Land Use Planning Project

'Na̱mg̱is First Nation hereditary Chief Ho’miskanis (Don Svanvik) –

“The implementation of the Gwa’ni recommendations to change the Vancouver Island Land Use Plan is an important recognition of our jurisdiction and responsibility for stewardship of resources and land in our territory. Following decades of concerns from the nation about the enhanced forestry designation within our territory that prioritized harvest over other important values, the Gwa’ni project provided a new approach. The collaborative planning work led to consensus recommendations demonstrating that our governments, stakeholders, our members and the public can find workable solutions to protect the environment and promote sustainable economies.” 

Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests –

“When we forge powerful partnerships with First Nations, we deliver big things. This announcement means real support for coastal forestry, with more opportunities for workers. It also provides greater certainty for our environment and for 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation culture. By supporting the Forest Landscape Plan for Tree Farm Licence 37, this Land Use Planning Project helps create jobs, move fibre and advance reconciliation. This is our work toward building a sustainable, working forest.”

Mike Willie, owner, Sea Wolf Adventures –

“As a Musgamakw Dzawada'enuxw tourism operator from a neighbouring nation, I deeply value the Gwa'ni Land Use Planning Project's approach to stewardship. This collaboration between 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation and the Province honours our shared cultural understanding that healthy lands sustain all life. By protecting biodiversity and cultural sites while providing clarity for industry, the project safeguards what visitors truly seek — intact ecosystems and living Indigenous cultures that have thrived here since time immemorial.”

James Furney, mayor, Port McNeill –

“Port McNeill is proud to acknowledge the hard work shared by the 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation and B.C. in the land use planning process. B.C.’s future is dependent on world-leading conservation, forest practices and forestry policy. The Gwa’ni project is a testament to both. I compliment the 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation, B.C. and industry for pulling the rope in the same direction and prioritizing the forest, not merely a fibre supply. Generations of north Islanders and British Columbians will benefit from the certainty and stability that comes with this endeavour.”

Patricia Corbett-Labatt, mayor, Port Hardy –

“I look forward to the implementation phase and the economic benefits this project will bring to the north Island. The Gwa’ni Land Use Planning Project provides important planning and operational clarity, helping to create stability for the local forestry sector and support increased, sustainable harvest levels over time. This project sets a blueprint for efficient and environmentally responsible logging, while reinforcing the value of working in partnership with Indigenous communities to build a resilient regional economy.”

David Summers, electoral director for Area “D” (Woss), on behalf of the Mount Waddington Regional Government –

“Initial progress on the project has been very encouraging and is providing steady work for our residents, and security for our communities on the north Island. This has also provided the 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation with a plan that addresses their concerns for the future of our forests, fish, wildlife and cultural diversity. Many of us also share many of those concerns. We need to continue moving ahead to provide a certain future for us and future generations.”

Brian Cant, president, 4TVI (Tourism Vancouver Island) –

“I am excited by the progression of the Gwa'ni Land Use Planning Project. Its focus on First Nations reconciliation, environmental sustainability and economic growth directly aligns with the long-term tourism development strategy for northern Vancouver Island. The project presents a great opportunity for the stewardship of balanced and sustainable land use for the benefit of future generations.”

Translations

Translation files are incoming and will be available shortly.