Comment: Forest trusts would preserve the public interest

Letter by Andrew Mitchell, Victoria Times Colonist

Victoria Times Colonist

For thousands of years, residents of B.C. have had the freedom to roam our lands and forests. Public ownership of most of our forests has maintained this freedom. Unlike other countries, we can go on millions of hectares of forest without the barriers of fences, gates and no-trespassing signs. Our pioneers kept our forests and lands in public ownership for economic reasons. They were afraid that private timber interests would misuse the forests, control the timber supply and restrict enterprise in wood manufacture. Public ownership of our forests was seen as a means to ensure sustainable management. Public timber would be available on an open market to encourage a diversified wood products industry.

Read More

Related Post

August 1, 2025

As Published in Canadian Forest Industries Magazine, Pulp & Paper Magazine and Canadian Biomass Magazine

Jennifer Gunter’s Op Ed, “Community Forests: Rooted in Community,

January 20, 2025

Minister of Forests Mandated to Expand BC’s Community Forest Program

In the recently released mandate letter to the Minister