36 Cedar Avenue West PO Box 198 Port Clements, BC The \?llage of mm Phone :250-557-4295 PORT CLEM ENTS FAX :250-557-4568 Email [Gateway to the Web Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9352, STN PROV GOVT Victoria, BC V8W 9M1 November 24, 2017 RE: Community Forest Licence and Haida Gwaii Timber Supply Dear Minister Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development The Village of Port Clements has been greatly impacted by the lack of timber sales advertised by BC Timber Sales (BCTS) in the last year. Our community?s main industry is forestry based and many of our resident?s jobs depend directly on wood supply controlled by BCTS. Residents employed in service and supply businesses also depend on income coming from the logging industry making it crucial to have a stable timber supply. The current situation is dire and without immediate action there are going to be extensive forestry industry layoffs within months. We are deeply concerned for the future of our community. Our population has fallen more than one?third in the last 10 years and even the short-term loss of more businesses, jobs and residents would be devastating. We are concerned that the cut blocks comprising the timber sales recently advertised by BCTS have been rejected by both the Solutions Table and the Council of the Haida Nation (CHN). This creates con?ict between supporting what is best for our economy and respecting our Protocol Agreement with the Council of the Haida Nation. Advertising these timber sales when directly opposed rather than amending them to meet approval by the Solutions Table and the CHN appears to con?ict with the Kunst?aa Guu Kunst?aayah Reconciliation Protocol agreed to by the Province. While we wait, discussion of protests, loss of respect for all levels of government, and polarization around a valuable and sustainable industry are rampant in all communities. We believe forestry on Haida Gwaii is a renewable resource, when managed properly and fairly, that will create jobs for all island residents for generations to come. The Haida Gwaii communities represented through the Misty Isles Economic Development Society (MIEDS) completed and submitted an application for a Community Forest earlier this year with strong support from the Council of the Haida Nation. This proposed Community Forest would be another means to address our local employment concerns and would benefit all the island communities. Areas within the existing BCTS operating area have been identified by the Province for a community forest partnership with BCTS, but no further progress has been made by the Province in formally offering this to the Island communities. We do not know why this process has stalled, but it is only contributing to the uncertainty and divisions between islands communities and stakeholders. We ask that you consider our concerns and help us find a solution which addresses our immediate issues as well as our long term goals to ensure our community grows and prospers. Our community leaders and local stakeholders are willing to meet with you and your staff to discuss these issues further. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your response. Sincerely, 7 Urs Thomas Mayor of the Village of Port Clements Cc: Council of Haida Nation MIEDS Jennifer Rice MLA Daryl Sherban, BCTS