Victoria Buzz
April 16, 2026
By: Curtis Blandy
Original article here.
Advocates warn proposed legislation changes could put BC’s old-growth forests at risk
The Ancient Forests Alliance (AFA) are concerned that legislation changes in BC could put endangered old-growth forests at risk.
The Province’s own logging agency, BC Timber Sales (BCTS), may see an increase in logging rates with the changes brought about by Bill 14, the Forest Statutes Amendment Act.
The changes would provide BCTS with a projected increase of at least 700,000 cubic metres in timber for the 2025-26 period. This would be equivalent to approximately 15,500 to 17,700 additional truckloads.
Bill 14 was introduced in March, but has not yet been passed.
The proposed legislation seeks to modernize the logging industry in BC and is aimed at increasing mill production and sustainability within the forestry sector.
It would give BCTS an expanded mandate, streamline salvage and fibre access for mills, change the contract authorization process and encourage future stewardship.
Despite the intentions of Bill 14, old-growth advocates say it falls short of expectations.
Both the AFA and the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance (EEA) are expressing concern that the changes could set the stage for logging in conservation reserves containing old-growth under the guise of wildfire risk reduction.
“Simply ramping up the rate of logging by BC Timber Sales without also taking proactive steps to ensure at-risk old-growth forests are protected is a recipe for disaster,” said TJ Watt, campaign director and photographer with the AFA.
“BCTS has a track record of logging some of the grandest and most endangered ancient forests, including those in places like the Nahmint Valley, where numerous cutblocks are still planned.”
The AFA is now calling on Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar to unequivocally state that protected areas and conservation reserves will not be targets of any commercial logging, through BCTS or otherwise.
The organization is also calling on the Province to commit to transitioning to second-growth logging as the standard, while concurrently providing official protections to at-risk old growth forests.
“Our organizations fully support a swift transition to sustainable, value-added, and modernized second-growth forestry, while protecting endangered old-growth,” Watt continued.
“BCTS has the best opportunity to lead that second-growth transition, but continuing to log forests with 500-1000 year old trees is in no way renewable or sustainable.”
The AFA says that roughly 1.3 million hectares of old-growth forests are currently unprotected in BC, even though they have been identified as such.
The old-growth advocates concede that Bill 14 would give the government clearer authority to apply stronger licence conditions where appropriate, but they want to see protections built into the proposed legislation.
“The devastating images released today expose the cost of government inaction on protecting old-growth forests,” said TJ Watt, campaign director of AFA.
“If the Province carries on down the same road for another five years, the chance to safeguard these incredible ecosystems for biodiversity, species-at-risk, wildlife habitat, First Nations cultures, and future generations may be gone forever.”
The BC Green Party has also spoken out about the 14 OGSR recommendations not being implemented.
“It has been five years since the release of the Old Growth Strategic Review, and while this should be a moment to celebrate bold action to protect old growth, instead we are marking half a decade of delay, indecision, and government inaction,” said Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands.
“When the government waffles instead of acting, communities are left with division, uncertainty, confrontation and now, the risk of a more escalated and militarized police presence.”
Botterell specifically pointed to the Upper Walbran area, near Fairy Creek, where blockades have been set up recently to try to stop old-growth logging.
In an email statement to Victoria Buzz, Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said, “In the Walbran, 85% of old growth is already protected. Throughout all of BC, we have taken action to defer over 2.4 million hectares since November 2021, on top of the nearly 3.7 million hectares that were already protected.”
He stated the BC government has working with First Nations on stewarding BC’s lands in a way that advances reconciliation while balancing ecological protection and economic prosperity.
“Recommendations from the Old Growth Strategic Review are embedded in our current work throughout the province. We have 15 Forest Landscape Tables developing plans to guide forest stewardship in local communities, reflecting their values, including the protection of old growth.”
“The future of forestry is one that is respectful, puts reconciliation into action, and is sustainable for generations to come.”