The President and CEO of the Council of Forest Industries was in Williams Lake last night to discuss some of the changes and challenges being experienced by the industry.
James Gorman, says despite the pine beetle crisis, and the 2008 economic downturn that is still being felt across the province and Cariboo, the industry is here to stay.
According to Gorman, the industry is all about working together with communities.
The BC Forest industry contributes revenue to all levels of government; 150 million in which is municipal.
Gorman also says the Tsilhqot’in Land Title Ruling represents a significant opportunity.
Gorman says the forest industry has 177 forest tenure agreements and $369 million dollars in revenue sharing with First Nations across the province.
The discussion followed with a question and answer period, with the Chair of the Cariboo Regional District and Area G Director, Al Richmond remarking the message that the community needs to come together with experts and academics to think of ways that will economically diversify the forest industry.