Provincial Forestry Revitalization Plan - Forest Act Amendments: Impacts and Implications for BC First Nations

This discussion paper analyses the impacts and implications of recent Forest Act amendments contained in Bills 27, 28, 29, 44 & 45 for BC First Nations. In spring 2003, the British Columbia provincial government introduced 5 pieces of forestry legislation. These bills contain the most significant changes to the Forest Act in over 50 years, and represent a complete overhaul of the regime for forest tenure and pricing in BC. Yet, despite the significance of the changes, no meaningful consultation or accommodation of First Nations has occurred. The package of Forest Act changes reflects Liberal campaign goals of increasing certainty and decision-making control for the forest industry, while attempting to ''manage'' two risks that could undermine these goals: the softwood lumber dispute and the Province’s legal obligations to First Nations.