Features Forestry Management Harvesting
Canim Lake Band signs forest agreement

The licence allows the band to harvest about 5,000 logging truckloads from a 21,400-hectare parcel of Crown land next to the Canim Lake Reserve.

The agreement is the second First Nations’ woodland licence signed under a new program designed to provide long-term, area-based logging rights to First Nations. The length of the licences, which provides a minimum 25-year tenure, makes it easier for First Nations to secure investment and loans for forestry operations.

“The Tsq’escenemc have a great track record when it comes to managing forestry operations. The First Nations woodland licence program gives the band the long-term stability it needs to build a sustainable business and to provide effective stewardship” said Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Steve Thomson.

“The Canim Lake Band is committed to self-sufficiency through education, economic development, social development, and effective management of our lands and resources. Government’s First Nations woodland licence program is helping us grow our existing forestry operation and providing us with long-term economic and employment opportunities,” said Canim Lake Band Chief Michael G. Archie.

“This new agreement is a positive step for the Canim Lake band and for families, businesses and workers across the region,” said Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett.

“Since 2001 the B.C. government has invested $884 million on forest management and economic development in the mountain pine beetle-impacted areas, to assist forestry-dependent communities like ours to diversify their economic base.”