VICTORIA, B.C. - Sonia Furstenau, leader of the BC Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley, and Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, have issued the following statement in response to analysis from independent scientists that lays out where immediate old growth logging deferrals need to take place.
“With this blueprint, the NDP government has all of the tools and the information they need to take action to protect these ancient forests,” said MLA Furstenau.
“All that’s lacking is political will. As the report states, deferrals are necessary to provide breathing room and space for Government-to-Government dialogue with Indigenous communities.
“Deferrals are an essential tool to maintain options in a time of crisis. You can’t build a new framework for protection while you log the last of what’s left. You can’t consult on what’s already gone. Yet while the NDP promises to do things differently, they are doubling down on the status quo of talk and log across B.C.”
The Old Growth Strategic Review Panel recommended immediate logging deferrals in the highest value, most at-risk old forest in BC. The panel laid out a number of criteria to determine the old forests that meet this threshold. The independent mapping and analysis released today identifies which areas of the province best meet the criteria for immediate deferrals as outlined by the Old Growth Panel.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult for the NDP to excuse its inaction,” said MLA Olsen. “Yet clearcutting continues in critical old growth stands across B.C., with the direct approval of the BC NDP government. The only set of deferrals announced to date do not meet the criteria set by the Panel and leave rare ancient forests unprotected.”
“This week we are seeing people arrested for attempting to stop logging activities in Fairy Creek. This is a direct result of this government’s broken promises to do better. It is past time for this government to live up to their promises, provide immediate protections in these critical ecosystems, and sit down with Indigenous communities to build a new future together.”
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