The British Columbia government has announced the formation of the Provincial Forest Advisory Council, co-chaired by Garry Merkel and Shannon Janzen. This council is doing an important job to address the long-term crisis in the province’s forest industry. This has only become more daunting with shifting political, economic, and ecological realities. The council’s primary focus is developing a sustainable management strategy that ensures the long-term provision of consistent, quality and affordable forest products. Yet, at the same time, they are deeply committed to protecting old-growth trees.
Garry Merkel, Centre of Indigenous Land Stewardship, University of B.C. He underlined the need for long-term strategic planning in order to better respond to competing challenges facing the forest sector. He believes that a long-term view is crucial to insure sustained resource availability. B.C.’s forest sector is in the midst of an unprecedented crisis. Mills hang in the balance, with the potential to close and jeopardize jobs in communities across the province, proclaimed Kim Haakstad, executive director of the council.
The B.C. government established the Provincial Forest Advisory Council to improve collaboration. This campaign featured two candidates from the provincial Green Party. The council includes representatives from AAMVA, U.S. Other notable members include the Forest Enhancement Society of BC and the United Steelworkers Wood Council, representing the broad spectrum of views that exist within the forestry ecosystem.
Shannon Janzen, the former vice-president of Western Forest Products Shannon’s experience in industry provides important perspective to council. She and other members aim to ensure that those who manage the realities of the forest sector are actively involved in decision-making processes. Haakstad stressed the need to involve people who are in charge of the sector’s daily realities. They don’t need to be an afterthought—they should be at the table, not just invited to offer feedback from the sidelines.
External pressures are exacerbating the crisis in B.C.’s forest sector. Now, potential US levies on Canadian softwood exports are further complicating matters. These factors pose increasing uncertainty for local mills and the skilled workforce that they rely on. The council’s formation comes at a crucial time, as it intends to implement bold and transformative actions that prioritize sustainability and partnership with First Nations.
Rob Botterell laid out the key point that this council presents an opportunity to take some really bold and transformative action with an explicit focus on forest health. These measures will protect impacted workers and communities while refocusing B.C.’s forest policy on sustainability, science, and partnerships with First Nations.
The Provincial Forest Advisory Council works on building consensus among multiple stakeholders. Their ultimate aim is ensuring a nimble, diverse forestry economy can better weather global shifts in forestry, keeping good-paying jobs in their communities.
