Terrace Standard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A Terrace church group is calling on the provincial government to rethink its forestry practices and “radical policies” and invest in sustainable options.
The Social Justice Working Group, made up of members of Knox United Church in Terrace is concerned about the province issuing permits to clear-cut primary forests to produce wood pellets for export.
In a letter addressed to Premier John Horgan, provincial Forest Minister Katrine Conroy and two northwest MLAs, Ellis Ross and Nathan Cullen, the group has cited the province’s actions to be far from its commitment to renewable green economy.
“Given the speed, extent and acceleration of climate-generated destruction, stopping pellet production from primary, intact forests is another example of radical policy shift we need to make regarding acceptable use of our public forests,” the group said in its Jan. 17 letter.
The group is calling on the province to implement full legal protection for all remaining primary and old growth forests, particularly the productive accessible forests that are currently being targeted by industry.
The group also called on the province to transition away from industrial harvesting of old-growth.
According to the Knox United Church, the letter does not represent an official stance on the issue by either the Knox United Church or the United Church of Canada.
Top image credit: Panoramic picture of the Terrace Airport on a clear winter morning – photo by Tristan in Ottawa via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
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