Crisis in B.C. Forests

Since 2002, the BC Liberal government has slashed more than 1,100 forestry workers' jobs from the Forests and Range ministry, eroded the government's compliance and enforcement capabilities in public forests, and ushered in an era of self-regulation that endangers the environment, encourages resource waste, and threatens the sustainability of B.C. forests.

This campaign page will:

  • chronicle the hand-over of our forest sector to multi-national forest companies
  • provide campaign tools and resources for BCGEU members and public advocates
  • provide positive solutions to take back control of this important public resource

Check back often for updates and campaign materials.

Staffing cuts erode public accountability in the Forests Ministry's Compliance and Enforcement Program

22 Dec '11

Annual reports haven't been published for two years due to lack of staff Read more »

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UBCM Convention passes resolutions calling for positive change in BC forests

16 Dec '11

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. Read more »

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Natural Resources Ministry responds to BCGEU information request

14 Nov '11

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Another opportunity for communities to continue the forestry dialogue

21 Jun '11

Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities Initiative seeking community input on forestry issues Read more »

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BCGEU convention passes resolution to expand forestry campaign

21 Jun '11

Delegates at the 48th BCGEU Constitutional Convention, held June 15-18, 2010 at the Bayshore Inn in Vancouver, passed a resolution submitted by Local 2009, to endorse and further expand the current forestry canmpaign: "BC Forests. Our Future: A Community Dialogue".

Inicluded below is the text of the resolution: Read more »

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BCGEU forests report makes the news and the legislature

21 Jun '11

The recent release of our report, BC Forests in Crisis: A Community Call for Reform , received good news coverage across the province. Check out our campaign website for a sampling of the news items.
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Nelson City Council passes 'Forest tenure review' resolution

21 Jun '11

The following resolution was passed by Nelson City Council on June 13th, and will be forwarded to the Union of BC Municipalities conference in September for debate:

Resolution Title: Forest tenure review

WHEREAS B.C. communities rely on local forests to support their economic, social and environmental well-being;
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BCGEU report finds BC’s forests in crisis: Labour and forest-dependent communities committed to finding solutions

17 May '11

BC Forests in Crisis: A Community Call for Reform

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report - PDF

A new report prepared by the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU), with contributions from residents of forest-dependent communities, finds B.C. forests are in crisis due to a decade of government deregulation and disinvestment, including deep cuts to the BC Forest Service.

Input for the report, B.C. Forests In Crisis: A Community Call for Reform, was collected at a series of community dialogues conducted by the BCGEU earlier this year in Castlegar, Campbell River, Kamloops and Prince George.

The community dialogues gave the BCGEU the chance to engage with community leaders to get a grasp of the key issues and problems facing forest-dependent communities, and hear possible solutions
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BCGEU poll finds we can’t trust forest companies to harvest timber in a sustainable way

11 Apr '11

Residents of Castlegar, Campbell River, Courtenay-Comox, Kamloops and Prince George all agree we can’t trust forest companies on their own to harvest timber in a sound and sustainable way. That’s one of the key findings of a recent poll conducted for the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) by Stratcom Communications.

The survey also finds: Read more »

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Forest crisis focus of Prince George community dialogue

15 Mar '11

Community poll reveals deep concern over BC’s forest economy Read more »

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