April 2019

Canada’s Rural Economic Development Minister Invites Public Ideas On Ways to Expand Rural Opportunity — News Release

Ottawa, Ontario, March 25, 2019 – Canadians living in rural and northern communities have unique needs. Access to better and more modern infrastructure, affordable housing, and faster, more reliable Internet Service can make a big difference in the quality of life for rural Canadians. The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Canada’s newly-appointed Minister of Rural Economic Development, is…

B.C. Premier Says Wood To Be Used In Two Provincial Megaprojects

B.C.Premier John Horgan announced the provincial government is moving to help revive the provincial forest industry by requiring the use of engineered wood on the new St. Paul’s Hospital and the upgrade to the Royal B.C. Museum, in a speech at the Council of Forest Industries convention in Vancouver on April 5th, as covered in this…

Government-to-Government Partnerships Benefit All Stakeholders

Government-to-government partnerships are increasingly important for the well-being of rural British Columbians. The following brief overview provides some examples of government-to-government agreements, involving First Nations and adjacent municipalities, leading to positive benefits for all stakeholders. Kitselas and Kitsumkalum First Nations, and the City of Terrace The Challenge Economic development progress between local governments and neighbouring First…

Cowichan Lake Community Forest Co-op and Pacheedaht First Nation

People in the Cowichan Lake communities and Pacheedaht First Nation will benefit from a unique community forest agreement for the Qala:yit [Kwah-LIE-it] Community Forest, reached in partnership with the provincial government in September 2018. “This is the latest stride that our nation has taken towards creating our own economic destiny, including a new sawmill and…

Valemount Sawmiller Expands

Perseverance has paid off for sawmiller Jason Alexander, with his cedar operation in Valemount, BC. A new wood supply agreement allows him to expands his operation and employ more local people. For more on this topic, visit our Forestry page. The BC Community Forest Association is also an excellent source of information.