Nearly 60 per cent of people living in BC’s coastal communities believe our forests are being managed sustainably, according to a new TLA report published April 3, A Further Look: Community Perspectives on the BC Coastal Forest Industry (www.tla.ca/FurtherPerspectives).
“While this number is good news, it still shows how much work the forest industry has to do,” David Elstone, TLA Executive Director, said in a press release. “BC’s forest industry is world class. We need to continue to tell our story to new audiences. And in doing so, the industry needs to demonstrate it is listening to community concerns.”
Monday’s report follows up on the TLA’s report publish
ed last June (www.tla.ca/Perspectives) and is a further look into the relationship between forestry and coastal communities. “In our first report, we spoke with the mayors. In this second report, we did some research to find out what community members thought,” Elstone said.
The TLA will be attending the 2017 AGM & Convention of the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities (AVICC) later this week in Campbell River to hear more from coastal communities.
“The TLA is committed to fostering dialogue on the critical issues that face communities and challenge the sustainability of the timber harvesting sector,” said Elstone.
As an advocate for local small businesses that support BC’s coastal communities, the TLA will continue to monitor community perspectives and champion these voices when issues like the softwood lumber trade file, viability of contractors’ businesses, and reductions to the allowable annual cut undermine the stability of the coastal forest industry.
“TLA members live and work in these coastal communities. They build their businesses in and around these towns, support local community groups and other local businesses,” said Elstone. “In this way, they are vital to the economic health of the entire province.”
The TLA (Truck Loggers Association) represents 480 independent forest contractors and their suppliers operating on the coast of British Columbia. Our membership supports thousands of workers and, along with other independent contractors, accounts for close to 90 per cent of the trees harvested on the coast. The TLA promotes a thriving, sustainable coastal forest industry in B.C.