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Public meeting hosted by the Wilderness Committee Mid-Island Chapter
by WCWC Media •
Tuesday January 15, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Qualicum Beach, BC - The Western Canada Wilderness Committee will be hosting a public meeting this week on Wednesday, January 16, 7:00 pm at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre to discuss the impact that local Vancouver Island Forest Land Sales and Tree Farm Licences will have on the lives and on the economy of the residents of Vancouver Island ...
For immediate release
Saturday, January 12, 08
Forest Land Sales Public Meeting
How will this impact the residents and economy of Vancouver Island?
Qualicum Beach, BC - The Western Canada Wilderness Committee will be hosting a public meeting this week on Wednesday, January 16, 7:00 pm at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre to discuss the impact that local Vancouver Island Forest Land Sales and Tree Farm Licences will have on the lives and on the economy of the residents of Vancouver Island.
“We will be bringing in speakers and a panel of government and elected representatives to explain and discuss the history and legal implications of the Tree Farm Licences and the status of Private Forest Land so that the residents of Vancouver Island will understand that what these companies are allowed to do in these early stages of their real estate sell-off will determine the future livability and economy of our region,” explained Annette Tanner, WCWC Mid Island chairperson.
“Protection of community drinking watersheds, wildlife corridors, access to recreational land and to safe, locally grown food, depend on sustainable land use planning,” Tanner continued. “The reduced taxes on private forest lands as a result of forestry licensees entering into tree farm licences were part of a social contract with British Columbians in return for sole access to public timber with an objective of stable employment in dependent communities.
“I have had many people in the community approach me expressing the fact that they didnt understand what the status of a Tree Farm Licence was or how the sale of Private Forest Lands affects our community,” she adds “Oceanside is part of that one-fifth of Vancouver Island, where almost 95 percent of all land is privately owned, compared to the provincial average where roughly 95 percent of the province is public (crown) land.”
“Brookfield Asset management, which owns 50 percent of one of Vancouver Islands largest forest companies, Island Timberlands, is spinning off its timber and power assets into a Bermuda-based partnership to create an offshore investment vehicle… where they are expected to be exempt from certain Canadian taxes and the enforcement of Canadian civil judgments.” Vancouver Sun, Jan. 04/08
The evening starts at 7:00 pm with a slideshow of Cathedral Grove Canyon. Panel presentation starts at 7:15 pm. Everyone is welcome. Admission is by donation. Info: 250 752-6585
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For more information contact Annette Tanner 250 752-6585, cell 240-7470
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