Members of the newly formed Provincial Forest Advisory Council are tasked with providing recommendations to government on advancing forest stewardship, while supporting communities and workers that rely on forests.
Under the Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord 2025, the B.C. government and BC Green caucus have established the Provincial Forest Advisory Council. The council will provide recommendations to government to ensure there are clear and measurable outcomes that support a healthy forests, healthy ecosystems and a healthy forestry sector.
"With boots on the ground visiting communities throughout B.C., I've met workers, businesses and partnered with First Nations," said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. "I have seen what forestry means to them. It means good-paying jobs that support families and communities, all while protecting our biodiversity."
The council will consult with industry partners, such as the Provincial Forestry Forum and ecological, environmental and biodiversity experts, to engage the public for feedback and honour commitments to work in partnership with First Nations. This community-driven approach will ensure the review is inclusive and focused on land-base certainty and sustainability.
"Forestry has always been a key part of B.C.'s economy, but its future depends on sustainability and long-term ecological stewardship," said Rob Botterell, house leader for the BC Greens and MLA for North Saanich and the Islands. "This council presents an opportunity to advance bold, transformative and evidence-based actions that centre the health of our forests, support workers and communities, and ensure forest policy in B.C. is grounded in sustainability, science, and partnership with First Nations."
The council brings together forestry sector leaders that have been jointly appointed by the BC NDP and Green caucuses. The council members are:
- co-chair - Garry Merkel, director, Centre of Indigenous Land Stewardship, faculty of forestry, University of British Columbia (UBC)
- co-chair - Shannon Janzen, former vice-president and chief forester, Western Forest Products
- Norah White, deputy chief forester, B.C. government
- Jason Fisher, executive director, Forest Enhancement Society of BC
- Jeff Bromley, chairperson, United Steelworkers Wood Council
- Harry Nelson, associate professor, faculty of forestry, UBC
- Hugh Scorah, postdoctoral fellow, UBC
- Al Gorley, retired professional forester and former president, Professional Foresters Association
- Laurie Kremsater, professional forester, biologist, researcher and educator
"Our best way to get ahead of this quickly evolving political, economic and ecological environment is by implementing a long-term, ecosystem-based plan that provides a stable, predictable and reliable flow of forest resources," Merkel said. "When we couple sustainable land stewardship with realizing most of the value of our forest resources within British Columbia, we support an economy that relies less on this unstable external environment. The council will focus on major actions that will build on existing work and outreach to move as quickly as possible to realize this long-term vision."
The council will provide an interim report to the B.C. government and Green caucus this fall, with a final report expected by the end of 2025.
Learn More:
- To read the agreement, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Agreement%20in%20Principle.pdf
- To read the terms of reference, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/download/C90007FBD33F4EB5A93C4EE3C5B9F8F7
Backgrounder : Members of the Provincial Forest Advisory Council
