ADAM OLSEN -- With this perspective, we are on track to "manage" our old-growth resource to zero

This summer, Minister Doug Donaldson announced the appointment of a two-person panel to lead an Old Growth Strategy Review.

The panel members, Al Gorley, a professional forester with 45 years of experience, and Garry Merkel, a registered professional forester also with 45 years of experience in the industry, have instructions to lead an Old Growth Strategy Review and report back to Honourable Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.

The Ministry has opened the consultation process and is seeking public input on the Review.

I have heard British Columbians' overwhelming concerns about how the province is managing the few remaining old-growth forests in our province.

Over several months, frustration has been growing on how the provincial government protects high productivity old-growth. Pressure is building with every series of photos and video streams showing clear-cuts of massive stumps.

My opinion of the BC NDP government's perspective on old-growth is well established. I believe their framing is all wrong. The Minister consistently frames the delicate balance of employment and economic values with the ecological ones.

It's identified in the mandate given to the panel in the Ministry press release:

"The panel was tasked with looking at old-growth management from a variety of perspectives, including employment and economic benefits, social, cultural, and environmental value and the need to address climate change."

In the government communications, the ecological, environmental and climate change issues are always subordinate to resource harvesting. With this perspective, we are on track to "manage" our old-growth resource to zero.

Please participate!

Many people have contacted me about how they can compel the BC NDP to change their old-growth policy. 

Please participate in the consultation!

For more information about the consultation, you can visit the consultation website. The Minister is inviting British Columbians to complete a questionnaire, provide written submissions (see the guidelines) or send an email.

Adam Olsen ... is a Green Party Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Saanich North and the Islands. Born in Victoria, BC in 1976, Adam has lived, worked and played his entire life on the Saanich Peninsula. He is a member of Tsartlip First Nation (W̱JOȽEȽP), where he and his wife, Emily, are raising their two children, Silas and Ella.