A Results-Based Forest and Range Practices Regime for British Columbia

The BC Government has asked the public to comment on a paper entitled 'A Results-Based Forest and Range Practices Regime for British Columbia'. The Discussion Paper proposes extensive changes to the Forest Practices Code. We hope that the government will consider and incorporate public comment into any changes to the Code. Accordingly, this report is an extensive review of the Discussion Paper, providing both a critique and suggesting alternative approaches to amendments to the Code. However, we remain skeptical of the government's interest in public consultation due to the tight time-line imposed both on the public and on legislative drafters, as well as the fact that cuts to Ministry of Forests staff prior to opening the matter up for public discussion, all of which may constrain what type of Code BC can expect.