‘Broken promises’ to First Nations could attract Olympic spotlight

First Nations threaten to tell all to the world if the BC Government refuses to make good its promises.

Forest-dependent First Nations in British Columbia are disappointed and angry. They have waited too long for the BC Government to make good on the promises of the March 2009 Roundtable recommendations to reform tenure for First Nations and replace the inadequate revenue sharing system. While the government is on a $3-billion Olympic spending spree to impress the world … “ our communities are tired of being told there is no new funding available – and that they might have to make do with even less than they already have – while at the same time being told they should be excited about the 2010 Winter Olympics”, said First Nations Forestry Council (FNFC) President, Leonard Thomas.

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BC seeks ideas on diversification of forest-fibre use

Innovative ways to use fibre in Okanagan wanted.

Ministry of Forests and Range.

The Okanagan Shuswap Forest District is soliciting the public for ideas on innovative uses of wood fibre, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.

“Improving utilization means getting more value from our forests,” said Bell. “British Columbia continues to lead the country in bioenergy, but what about the untapped, non-traditional markets? If we can tap into and pursue new and innovative markets for fibre usage, we can diversify the local forest economy.”

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Softwood for China — Shanghai code opens doors

Shanghai code approval opens up market to Canadian wood.

Ministry of Forests and Range.

Shanghai’s approval of a new wood-frame building code is a major step forward in the growing demand for Canadian wood products in China, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, and British Columbia’s Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.

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Giant cedars near Revelstoke to be logged

NDP MLAs ‘overwhelmed’ by ancient forest of the Upper Incomappleux Valley — call for protection.

by Valhalla Wilderness Society.

Two NDP MLAs, Michael Sather and Guy Gentner, are calling upon the provincial government to take the initiative to protect BC’s rarest inland temperate rainforests. They are making the call after a tour of the Incomappleux River valley in southeastern BC hosted by the Valhalla Wilderness Society (VWS) on Friday, October 16.

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Transition assistance for forest workers

Press release –

Trust opens $20M transition opportunity for workers.

VICTORIA – A program designed to financially assist older workers in transitioning out of the forest sector will be accepting applications July 1 to Aug. 31, 2009.

Through the Community Development Trust’s Transition Assistance program, forest workers aged 60 and older as of Dec. 31, 2009 who meet the program eligibility requirements may be able to access up to $35,000 to transition to retirement or other activities.

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Local woodlot licences available

Press release –

New woodlots available near Salmon Arm and Cherryville.

VERNON – Three new woodlot licences are available in the Okanagan-Shuswap area as the Province continues to create new forestry opportunities for individuals, groups and First Nations, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.

“Woodlot licences create employment for forest workers, from enhancing silviculture practices to value-added manufacturing, while promoting licensees’ long-term relationship with the land,” said Bell. “We are helping our forest sector recover by establishing new markets, new wood products and building a stronger role for small tenure holders and forest communities around British Columbia.”

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