‘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. [Read more]

Macdonald tackles new role as Ministry of Forests critic

Newly elected Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald will be taking on a new role in the NDP caucus when parliament resumes at the end of the summer. Having worked as the NDP’s shadow caucus representative in education and community services during his previous term, Macdonald will be working a high-profile role as the NDP’s forestry critic. [Read more]

Tembec announces mill closures

After recent news of indefinite mill closures slated for Canfor sawmill operations in Radium, Vavenby and Rustad, Tembec Forest Products has now confirmed that it will be stopping production at two of its East Kootenay mill operations. [Read more]

Indefinite Canfor mill closure to affect 170 workers

Dark and gloomy days are ahead for many employees who work at the Canfor lumber mill in Radium Hot Springs after the mill was singled out last week as one of three Canfor operations that will be closed indefinitely. [Read more]

Unemployed forest workers to be hired for grassland restoration

A total of 46 unemployed forest workers in the region will be employed to carry out ecosystem restoration and forest fire fuel reduction within the Rocky Mountain Trench.

Workers from Cranbrook, Kimberley and Invermere will be employed through various forms of funding from the Ministry of Community Development.

Locally, help wanted ads have already started appearing from the Rocky Mountain Trench Society, which will be implementing the program, looking for 12 employees to carry out restoration work in the area. A total of 750 hectares of land in the area will be treated. According to information provided by the Ministry, work will include hand-cutting and piling small trees in the area, which encourages the regeneration and growth of native grasses and shrubs that provide food for elk, deer, bighorn sheep and domestic cattle and create habitat for a number of other species.

A press release from the ministry did not specify with areas of land would be targeted in the Invermere area.

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