Recent changes to FRPA and associated regulations

Last updated on July 30, 2024

The province is currently implementing changes to the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA). These legislative and regulatory changes are part of a multi-year, phased process to strengthen public confidence in the management of B.C.’s forest and range resources.

Recent amendments to the FRPA are aligned with the province’s strategy to reshape B.C.’s forest management framework so that it continues to serve the public interest in an era of change. The province’s strategy aims to increase First Nation participation in forest management, adapt to the challenges of climate change, and better integrate with modern land use planning.

Legislative and regulatory highlights: Bill 21


Recent changes to FRPA

The specific regulatory and policy changes implemented as a result of legislative amendments adopted in the Forest and Range Practices Amendment Act (Bill 21, 2019) and the Forest Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 23, 2021) are outlined below:


FRPA Improvement Initiative

In October 2018, the ministry initiated a multi-year, multi-phase legislative process to contemplate changes to FRPA.

The changes to FRPA are meant to:

  • Advance reconciliation with First Nations by enhancing their participation in forest and range management​
  • Introduce a new Forest Landscape Planning framework
  • Clarify provincial objectives for forest and range resources​
  • Improve information sharing in forest planning​
  • Provide more frequent and reliable opportunities for communities to engage in forest planning​
  • Adapt resource management to changing land base and values

In summer 2021, the ministry reiterated its commitment to modernizing forest policy by releasing an intentions paper (PDF, 2.6MB).

The multi-year timeline for the FRPA Improvement Initiative is described in three phases: