B.C. Forestry Review Urges Transparent Data and Independent Assessment of Old-Growth Forests

A sweeping review of British Columbia’s forestry system is calling for a fundamental reset, urging the province to rebuild forest management around transparency, trust, and community-based decision-making.

The final report from the Provincial Forestry Advisory Council, released Monday, argues that the current system is outdated and overly focused on harvest volumes rather than long-term land stewardship. The authors say public confidence has been undermined by inconsistent forest data that is largely controlled by government and industry.

The report recommends creating a publicly accessible forest inventory using advanced laser-based measurements and placing that data under the control of a new, independent body.

“We’re here because we have a system that was built for an era that no longer exists,” said council co-chair Shannon Janzen, a former chief forester. “There’s been too much change and disruption. Communities need the ability to step forward and shape their own future.”

One of the report’s key recommendations is an arm’s-length assessment of high-value old-growth forests, aimed at reducing conflict and ensuring all parties are working from the same reliable data. The council says a lack of shared, credible information has fuelled disputes between government, industry, Indigenous Nations, conservation groups, and local communities.

The 80-page report proposes shifting decision-making power away from the provincial government and toward regional management bodies responsible for defined land areas. Under the model, local decision-makers would oversee forest planning and allocations, similar to how school boards operate.

Co-chair Garry Merkel said the current system is driven largely by people far removed from affected communities and subject to frequent policy changes following provincial elections.

“Decisions are being made by people outside those communities trying to guess what’s needed,” Merkel said. “That instability makes long-term planning almost impossible.”

The report notes that area-based land management is already in use in provinces such as Ontario and Alberta and argues it would give people living in forestry-dependent regions greater control over economic and environmental outcomes.

Forestry experts have welcomed the emphasis on transparency but raised questions about implementation. Some have pointed to unanswered details around the role of existing oversight bodies and how accountability would be enforced under a decentralized model.

B.C.’s Forest Minister said the government will review the recommendations but stopped short of committing to their adoption, noting consultations with other ministries are required.

The review comes as the province’s forestry sector faces mounting pressure. Thousands of workers have lost jobs as mills close due to shrinking timber supplies, rising costs, and increased U.S. tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber.

The report calls for LiDAR-based forest mapping, which uses laser technology to measure tree height, canopy density, and terrain, as the foundation for future land-use decisions.

“Trust is eroded by inconsistent data currently controlled largely by industry and government,” the report states, adding that the province must move toward independent, expert-driven data management.

Political reaction has been mixed. Green Party representatives described the report as a long-overdue reset, warning that continued inaction risks further ecological damage, job losses, and declining public trust. Meanwhile, the Opposition Conservatives criticized the recommendations as overly focused on governance restructuring, arguing they fail to address immediate industry challenges such as permitting delays and access to timber.

The council estimates implementing its recommendations could take up to five years, framing the effort as a long-term transformation rather than a quick fix for the sector’s ongoing struggles.