FRPA engagement and timeline

Changes to FRPA have been, and continue to be, directly informed by engagement with Indigenous Nations, the public, industry and stakeholders.

Key questions that government asked British Columbians included:

• How should the province identify opportunities and priorities for adapting forest management to a changing climate, such as mitigating the effects of beetle infestations, drought and fire?
• What factors should be considered in the planning of forest operations to reduce the risks of wildfire around your community

Read the discussion paper released in May 2019 which guided FRPA engagement with Indigenous Nations, stakeholders, the forest industry and the public.

On this page:

• Three phases of FRPA engagement
• What we heard from stakeholders and the public
• What we heard from Indigenous Nations
• FRPA engagement submissions

Three phases of FRPA engagement

1. Online public engagement: As part of the review, input was received by an online feedback form that was open until July 15, 2019 to all British Columbians. Over 2,300 responses were received
2. Consultation with industry, communities and stakeholders: The ministry met directly with forest and range industry stakeholders, non-forestry related commercial and recreational users, organizations and groups who are directly impacted by changes to FRPA
3. Consultation with Indigenous Nations: Changes to FRPA have been developed in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Nations in alignment with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Feedback on proposals was sought through regular correspondence, regional workshops and webinars, and government-to-government meetings

What we heard from stakeholders and the public

As a result of online public and stakeholder consultation and written submissions, several themes were captured and incorporated into the FRPA amendments. These include:

• Transforming forest planning to reduce cumulative effects and foster increased participation from Indigenous Nations and the public in the management of B.C.’s forest resources
• Addressing climate change by giving land managers the tools to promote forest health and resilient ecosystem
• Enhancing public trust by increasing access to information
• Clarifying government objectives for FRPA values

Read the What We Heard report from stakeholders and the public

What we heard from Indigenous Nations

Through the engagement cycle, Indigenous Nations have called on the province to support reconciliation in forest and range management by:

• Increasing opportunities for collaboration with Indigenous Nations in forest planning and related decision-making processes
• Ensuring Indigenous knowledge, values and principles are reflected in forest planning and practices
• Adopting a more balanced approach to the management of timber and non-timber resource values
• Building capacity for Indigenous Nations to participate in the management of forest resources

Feedback also indicated broad support for the forest landscape planning framework.

• Read the What We Heard report from Indigenous Nations

FRPA Engagement Submissions

As part of an engagement process prior to legislative changes that have now been introduced, organizations, professionals, and all British Columbians were invited to provide written submissions for the Forest and Range Practices Act engagement by July 15, 2019. Written submissions are posted below in alphabetical order by organization name.