Vaughn Palmer: First Nations title decision makes B.C. forest policy a balancing act

VICTORIA — While last week’s Supreme Court of Canada decision on aboriginal title raised doubts about the plan to pipe Alberta bitumen through B.C., the more immediate impact is likely to be on the management of provincial forests. The landmark title case originated three decades ago with a challenge by the Tsilhqot’in people to provincially approved commercial logging within their traditional territory in the central Interior. The high court resolved the case by 1) confirming aboriginal ownership over much of the affected territory and 2) finding that the province breached its duty to consult the Tsilhqot’in and accommodate their interests over the use of their land and resources.