Canfor Urges B.C. to Rethink Decision to Defer Old Forests

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Canfor Corporation urged the B.C. administration to have a rethink on the old growth deferral decision. Don Kayne, President and CEO, Canfor made the call in an open letter.

In his letter, Kayne pointed out that the company has been operating in the province for more than 80 years now. All of its activities have been environmentally responsible, contributing to healthy forests for future generations as well. The operations adhere to rigorous environmental standards set by the provincial government.

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The letter states that the government has decided to defer 2.6 million hectares of old forests, without adequate consultations with indigenous leaders, labour leaders, forest professionals and communities. Many important voices have been left out of this critical decision, it noted. The decision, likely to impact approximately 18,000 workers, was taken based on advice of only a few people, it alleged.

The letter called upon the provincial government to use facts, based on science and traditional knowledge, in order to identify potential old-growth areas and deferrals. Also, a collaborative process involving all stakeholders should be undertaken in the development of the old-growth plan.