Regional Chief Terry Teegee among list of speakers at COFI Convention

The BC Council of Forest Industries will convene its Annual Convention in Vancouver this week, bringing together more than 600 industry, government, First Nations, and community leaders to explore the issues and opportunities facing the sector in the province.

The “Forestry is a Solution” theme mirrors a province-wide initiative highlighting the deep-rooted support British Columbians have for workers and families depending on a vibrant forest economy.

“The challenges we face are significant, so the importance of coming together right now cannot be overstated,” said COFI President and CEO Kim Haakstad.

“The Forestry is a Solution campaign demonstrates that British Columbians understand the sector’s value, not just as an economic driver, but as essential in meeting our housing and climate goals and supporting the high quality of life we enjoy in this province.”

B.C. Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee will be among the many speakers at the convention, with the main point of his presentation being on the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

“That’s where we see ourselves at in terms of the forest industry with the ongoing issue of tariffs and further to that the issue of the softwood lumber agreement, in regards to the increase in cost, selling wood to the United States, which is still the biggest customer we have here in Canada and British Columbia,” he said.

“I think what we should be discussing is the economy and the state of the economy in terms of the forest industry. I would say and I would argue that a big piece to that is partnerships with First Nations and full implementation of the declaration.”

Teegee said that provides a level of certainty to the forest industry.

“I think in terms of partnerships, I believe that DRIPA allows for a level of certainty within the economy of British Columbia, and I think we’re better for it,” he said.

“I think full implementation of DRIPA allows full partnerships to flourish with First Nations and allows I think a level of certainty in regards to the industry we are all involved in here in British Columbia in terms of forestry.”