Deregulation Backgrounder - Bill 33 Forest Statutes Amendment Act

Bill 33, the Forest Statutes Amendment Act, 2004, allows government to pass regulations that, in effect, give authority to company employees to determine if planned logging meets legal requirements. Regulations could require the Minister to approve logging plans if a private sector professional forester says the plan will achieve vague government objectives for environmental protection. The act also eliminates government ability to designate wilderness areas, strengthens private sector claims to compensation for reduced timber rights, and eliminates requirements for public hearings into new community tenures.