Calls for the province to reinstate the Appurtenancy Clause are being made by the District of Houston and Houston District Chamber of Commerse.
The clause was removed in 2003 and calls come following Canfor’s recent announcement to end re-investment into the Houston sawmill.
“The ongoing shifts in forestry policies have placed considerable strain on our communities,” said Chamber Chair Amber Oevering.
“It is crucial to reinstate the Appurtenancy Clause to protect communities like ours and enhance the sustainability of the local economy.”
If the clause is reinstated, it would ensure timber is processed in a community near to where it was harvested.
Houston Mayor Shane Brienen also released a statement following Canfor’s announcement:
Our thoughts are with our community today as we process the news that Canfor has suspended its planned reinvestment in the Houston sawmill
We stand united with our fellow forestry-dependent neighbors in northern BC who are calling for the return of appurtenancy-a policy that ensures crown timber is processed in the local community to promote economic sustainability.
As many of you know, the forestry industry is currently in flux as we adjust to the level of the mid-term timber supply. This transition is creating significant economic uncertainty in our region. Canfor’s decision to halt investment in operations due to low harvest levels and the inability to consistently access sufficient economic fiber to support manufacturing facilities is causing hardship in our community. That being said, Canfor, along with other regional players, have been aware of the upcoming downturn in timber supply for the last 20 years
We, along with other forestry-dependent communities, call on the Provincial government to address our concerns and implement necessary changes to the tenure system to keep logs local. A comprehensive plan needs to be developed to carry us through the mid-term, including strategies for sustainable harvest levels, workforce support, and long-term industry stability.
We hear you, Houston, and we stand with you. Further updates will be provided on.an ongoing basis as new information becomes available
More about the announcement can be found here.
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