Horgan announces plans to redistribute forest tenures to Indigenous communities, small operators

Premier John Horgan announced the provincial government’s intention to modernize forest policy in the province, and to protect old growth forest.

Horgan and Katrine Conroy, minister of forests, outlined proposed changes to forest policy in a newly released intentions paper.

The province proposes to redistribute forest tenures to Indigenous Nations, forest communities and small operators.

Additionally, the paper includes a commitment to act on the recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review in collaboration with Indigenous leaders, local governments, labour, industry and environmental groups.

A new old growth strategy would come into effect in 2023, according to the intentions paper.

No immediate action is coming from the province in regards to the current dispute at Fairy Creek.

When asked how he plans to solve the conflict currently going on in his riding, Horgan said “these things take time” and that consultations must first take place.

When asked if the government plans on letting enforcement continue in the meantime, Horgan said that the injunction was sought out by the company and that the RCMP is required to uphold it.

Horgan said that the “critical recommendation” in play at Fairy Creek is consulting with the title holders.

“If we were to arbitrarily put deferrals in place there, that would be a return to the colonialism that we have so graphically been brought back as a result of issues in Kamloops this week. I’m not prepared to do that,” he said.

“I believe we need to do this in the right way, and that means engaging with First Nations."