B.C. extends old-growth logging deferral in Fairy Creek
The province is extending its deferral of old-growth logging in the Fairy Creek watershed area of Vancouver Island until 2025.
The deferrals first came into effect in June 2021, and were set to expire this year, following more than a year of heated protests and blockades in the region.
The province enacted the deferrals after a request came from the Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht First Nations, whose territory includes the Fairy Creek and Central Walbran areas.
The deferrals have now been extended until Feb. 1, 2025, the province announced Friday.
Over the next two years, the province says it will continue working on long-term forest management plans in the Fairy Creek watershed area.
The deferrals protect 1,183.8 hectares of old-growth trees located on Crown land in the Fairy Creek watershed.
"The entire watershed falls within the Pacheedaht territory," said the B.C. Ministry of Forests in a release Friday.
"The province continues to work with First Nations rights and title holders to take unprecedented action to protect old-growth forests," the ministry continued.
The province says more than two million hectares of old growth have been deferred across the province since November 2021.
Deferrals do not mean protection in perpetuity, but are a temporary protection against harvesting as long as they are active.
RCMP made more than 1,000 arrests during protests and blockades in the Fairy Creek watershed area in 2020 and 2021, marking one of the largest acts of civil disobedience in Canadian history.
RCMP officers, including two wearing the 'thin blue line' patch, arrest a man during an anti-logging protest in Caycuse, B.C. on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jen Osborne
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.
Tabloid publisher says he pledged to be Trump campaign's 'eyes and ears' during 2016 race
A veteran tabloid publisher testified Tuesday that he pledged to be Donald Trump 's 'eyes and ears' during his 2016 presidential campaign, recounting how he promised the then-candidate that he would help suppress stories that had the potential to harm the Republican's election bid.