Correspondence from Mayor Helps re: Protection of Old Growth Forests

March 13, 2019,

To Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities Members,

I am writing on behalf of Victoria City Council, requesting favourable consideration and resolutions of support for the protection of old growth forests.

At the January 31, 2019 Council Meeting, Council approved the following resolution:

WHEREAS old-growth forest has significant economic, social and environmental value as wildlife habitat, tourism resource, carbon sink, drinking watersheds and much more;

AND WHEREAS old-growth forest is increasingly rare on Vancouver Island and current plans on provincial Crown land call for logging the last remaining old-growth forest, outside of protected areas, Old-Growth Management Areas, and similar reserves, over the next 10-20 years;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the old-growth forest on provincial Crown Land on Vancouver Island be protected from logging, beginning with a moratorium and followed by amendments to the Vancouver Island Land Use Plan;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Provincial government work with First Nations, local communities, labour organizations and industry to pursue a just transition and expanded economic opportunities through sustainable management of second-growth forests and value-added production of forest products.

We eagerly look forward to your support on this matter.

Sincerely,

Lisa Helps Victoria Mayor

cc. The Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) Annual Convention