UBCM Convention passes resolutions calling for positive change in BC forests

During the community dialogue sessions hosted last winter by the BCGEU, many participants said that municipal politicians should push the provincial government to take action on forest issues. Based on what they heard from community members at the dialogues, a number of municipal councillors did just that – putting forward resolutions that were supported by their councils and forwarded to the 2011 UBCM Convention in Vancouver, for consideration by local government representatives from around the province. In particular, three resolutions generated from the community dialogues were endorsed by the convention, with a third referred to the UBCM Executive, who later endorsed the resolution:

B57: Forest Tenure Review (Nelson)

This resolution called on the provincial government to undertake a comprehensive review of the forest tenure system, aimed at making reforms that will guarantee sustainability for our forests, allow for more local input into forest management, and ensure more of the revenue from forests stays in local communities.

B105: Reinvesting in Forest Stewardship (Grand Forks)

UBCM delegates urged the provincial government to reinvest in forest stewardship, including providing adequate funding for forest inventories, research, wildfire prevention, reforestation and proper enforcement.

B167 Public Commission on Forests (Grand Forks)

This resolution calls on the B.C. Government to “establish a public commission of inquiry into B.C.’s forest sector,” to review current laws and practices, provide opportunity for wide-ranging public input, and  to recommend changes to ensure good forest stewardship.  The resolution was referred to the UBCM Executive who later endorsed the resolution.

The full text of these resolutions and other forest-related resolutions from the UBCM can be found here.