April 30 will mark one year since the B.C. government received the Old Growth Strategic Review (OGSR) panel’s report, its blueprint for a paradigm shift in B.C.’s forest sector. One that, if fully implemented, would protect remaining endangered old-growth forests, advance reconciliation with First Nations and chart the transition to a value-added, predominantly second-growth forest sector in B.C.
The new forests minister is adamant forestry workers and communities be supported while any changes in the sector take place. She’s right, and there’s still work to be done to understand and address the socio-economic impacts of the OGSR’s recommendations. But the minister must first acknowledge that continued reliance on B.C.’s dwindling old-growth resources is neither sustainable nor responsible and does no favours for forest-dependent communities that can and must diversify before the province’s old-growth stands are depleted.
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