April 17, 2019

David Elstone, executive director of The Truck Loggers Association (TLA) issued the following statement in response to the government’s amendment to forest tenure agreements in the Forest Act, announced on April 11.

“The issue of tenure consolidation was the primary reason the TLA began advocating on behalf of independent timber harvesting contractors for fair forest policy in 1948.

“One of our first priorities was to advocate for proper forest management and to show opposition to corporate and state monopolies created by consolidation of forest management licence’s (now Tree Forest Licenses).

“For more than 70 years, it has been the TLA’s position that consolidation is not good for the financial sustainability of all stakeholders in the forest industry. Now, finally, this government is making a substantial effort to prevent further tenure consolidation.

“The changes made to tenure agreements including more government control, fully considering public interest on applications for transfer, no further concentration of tenure, and a more informed government will ensure the industry is diversified, benefiting all stakeholders, free of negative consequences.

“We are encouraged by this change; combined with the recent policy changes resulting from the Contractors Sustainably Review, it will ensure a more sustainable future for contractors and communities.”

For interviews please contact:

Jennifer Kramer

Director of Communications

Truck Loggers Association

P: 604-684-4291 Ext. 2 Jennifer@tla.ca

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