Communities in McLeod Lake and Mackenzie, and on northern Vancouver Island, will have greater opportunities to manage local forests, support wildfire resilience and strengthen local forestry economies through expansions of two community forests.

"Rural communities understand forestry, both as an economic driver and as a tool to reduce wildfire risk," said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. "Driven by powerful partnerships, these expansions will mean real benefits for their communities in the form of local logs for local manufacturing, jobs on the land base and healthier, more resilient forests."

These expansion decisions will result in a total of 20,000 cubic metres allocated to the McLeod Lake Mackenzie community forest, and more than 8,100 cubic metres to the North Island Community Forest.

The expansions will provide more opportunities for local forest management, including wildfire risk reduction, while helping ensure a sustainable fibre supply for local facilities and users. They will also support the Province's commitment to growing the community forest program and strengthen partnerships with First Nations and communities.

"The expansions of the McLeod Lake Mackenzie and North Island Community Forests are a strong vote of confidence in community forestry," said Jennifer Gunter, executive director, BC Community Forest Association. "These community forests show how local stewardship and strong partnerships with First Nations can create lasting benefits for communities, forests and local economies. The expansions will help build resilience, support jobs and keep more of the benefits from forestry in these communities."

All community forest expansions are done with First Nations consultation, and many First Nations are linked to community forests through equity partnerships and business-to-business agreements. First Nations leadership and traditions ensure community forests benefit people, the sector and the land. Their approach to forest stewardship offers a blueprint for provincial and local governments to follow.

"The expansion of the McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest is an important milestone for our communities and the forest industry in the region," said Chief Harley Chingee, McLeod Lake Indian Band. "Forestry has long been important to McLeod Lake Indian Band, supporting our people, our businesses, our stewardship responsibilities and our role in the regional economy. We acknowledge Minister Parmar's support for local forestry leadership and for the continued prosperity of our communities."

Community forests, with BC Timber Sales, are part of the government's commitment to ensure the province's forestry sector is sustainable, provides stable, well-paying jobs and remains a cornerstone of B.C.'s economy.

"The expansion of the McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest is very welcome news for our communities," said Joan Atkinson, mayor, Mackenzie. "I am very grateful to Chief Harley Chingee of the McLeod Lake Indian Band and Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar, who supported and helped to facilitate this success. Community Forests foster local involvement in forest stewardship, provide direct economic benefits to local communities and highlight the strengths and importance of partnerships."