Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP)

Program Details The Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) is a new grant launched by the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation (JEDI). The Government of B.C. is investing up to $33 million this year to create the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program, which will support projects that promote the following: Economic diversification…

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20 Years of Fallout in the Forestry Sector

More than 20 years ago, a tiny insect changed B.C.’s forestry future. The fallout is still happening Job losses being seen across the province have been predicted for more than a decade, industry leaders say No one is surprised by the news of Canfor shutting down one of its pulp mills in Prince George. Not…

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Increased Opportunities for Indigenous People in Forest Sector

Indigenous people looking to work in B.C.’s forest sector will have more opportunities to learn, train and develop in-demand skills through two new provincial grants. Supported by the StrongerBC Economic Plan, the Province is providing funding to the First Nations Forestry Council (FNFC) for the Indigenous Forestry Scholarship Program (IFSP) and an online forestry careers-matching tool…

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Fairy Creek blockades must go, B.C. Supreme Court rules

After eight months of camping out to protect old-growth forests from logging, Fairy Creek activists have been told their blockades must go. In its decision Thursday morning, the B.C. Supreme Court stated logging activities by Teal Jones Group are completely legal, and by denying access to cutblocks, activists are in fact the ones engaging in…

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Common Interests, Common Purpose

Splatsin First Nation councillor George William and Lumby mayor Kevin Acton discuss how their respective communities came together to create the Monashee Community Forest — and in the process began to build a greater awareness of the similarities between the First Nation and village, and explore further opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation and collaboration.  

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

B.C. premier John Horgan

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…

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Cowichan Lake Community Forest Co-op and Pacheedaht First Nation

Cowichan Lake

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…

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Valemount Sawmiller Expands

Perseverance pays off

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.    

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