North Cowichan seeks feedback on future of municipal forests
North Cowichan is looking for feedback on how to manage its municipal forest reserves. (CTV News/Google Earth)
A public engagement process is underway to determine what route North Cowichan, B.C., should take when it comes to managing its Municipal Forest Reserve (MFR).
There are four different scenarios the public can voice their opinion on. The scenarios are:
• Keep the status quo and continue harvesting at rate of 17,500 cubic metres per year.
• Reduce harvesting per year by 35 to 50 per cent.
• Active conservation which will drastically limit the amount of harvesting per year.
• Passive conservation which will move entirely away from harvesting.
For years, harvesting has brought in a revenue source for the municipality to lower taxes and fund certain projects. However, if a more conservative scenario is chosen, carbon credit offsets could be a revenue source instead.
People can voice their opinion during a series of public engagement processes taking place during December.
There will be an in-person session on Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Maple Bay Fire Hall.
Virtual engagement sessions are also scheduled for Dec. 6 and 12. There will also be telephone and an online surveys.
The review process began last year when the UBC Partnership Group, including the University of British Columbia and 3GreenTree Consulting, were hired to conduct a technical review of the forests, which resulted in the four scenarios put forward for consideration.
North Cowichan has managed it’s MFR since the 1940s, making it one of the oldest community forests in the province.
The MFR is made up of 5,000 hectares of woodlands, including Mount Prevost, Mount Sicker, Mount Tzouhalem, Stoney Hill, Mount Richards and Maple Mountain.
North Cowichan, B.C., is pictured. (CTV News)The public input will be gathered by staff and submitted to council in the new year, along with the consultant's final recommendations and input from local First Nations to determine a path going forward.
The last MFR review was done in the 1980s.
More information about the review process can be found on the North Cowichan website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada sending 4 tanks to Ukraine and deploying soldiers to train, defence minister says
Canada is sending four combat-ready battle tanks to Ukraine and will be deploying 'a number' of Canadian Armed Forces members to train Ukrainian soldiers on how to operate them.
Canadians fighting in Ukraine, despite no monitoring from government, speak out on war and loss
On Feb. 27, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country needed fighters, and foreigners were welcome to join the front line in the defence against Russian aggression. Some Canadians were among the first to answer the call.
No more expensing home internet bills to taxpayers, Pierre Poilievre's caucus told
Members of Pierre Poilievre's Conservative caucus have been told they are no longer allowed to charge taxpayers for home internet services.
Rent prices grew at record pace in 2022 as Canada saw lowest vacancy rate in decades
Rent prices in Canada grew at a record pace last year as the country saw the lowest vacancy rate since 2001, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said.
Toronto police to boost presence on TTC following spike in violence
The Toronto police will be rolling out an increased presence across the TTC following a rash of violent, and sometimes random, incidents on the city’s transit system.
See how Amsterdam built a massive underwater bike-parking facility
Amsterdam has shared a time-lapse video of the construction of its brand-new underwater bike-parking facility.
Border agencies in Canada, U.S. detail how new Nexus trusted traveller plan will work
Canada and the United States are laying out the details of their new bilateral workaround for the Nexus trusted-traveller system.
Former Liberal minister Kirsty Duncan taking medical leave, will stay on as MP
Liberal member of Parliament and former cabinet minister Kirsty Duncan has announced that she is taking an immediate medical leave due to a 'physical health challenge.'
5 Memphis cops charged with murder in Tyre Nichols' death
Five former Memphis police officers have been charged with second-degree murder and other crimes in the arrest and death of Tyre Nichols, a Black motorist who died three days after a confrontation with the officers during a traffic stop, records showed Thursday.
Vancouver
-
Vancouver cop could be charged after vandalism suspect seriously injured
British Columbia’s police watchdog believes a Vancouver officer may have committed offences during a 2021 arrest that left a man seriously injured.
-
Stabbing near Mission daycare appears to be targeted, RCMP say
Authorities say an assault and stabbing near a Mission daycare on Wednesday was likely targeted, and the 32-year-old victim is working with investigators.
-
Poor communication and training linked to fatal B.C. ammonia leak
The independent body that oversees the safety of technical systems and equipment in British Columbia has found a deadly ammonia leak near Kamloops last May was a tragedy that took years to unfold.
Edmonton
-
'Majority of people will still see an increase': Experts say Alberta auto rate freeze won’t provide financial relief
The Alberta government says it is pausing private passenger vehicle insurance rate increases through the end of 2023 after hearing concerns from drivers about affordability.
-
Alberta to address rural doctor shortages through training in Lethbridge and Grande Prairie
The provincial government has unveiled its plan to bring more physicians to areas that are currently underserved.
-
Imperial Oil gives OK to $720M renewable diesel project near Edmonton
Imperial Oil Ltd. says it is going ahead with a $720-million project to build a renewable diesel facility at its Strathcona refinery near Edmonton.
Toronto
-
Toronto police to boost presence on TTC following spike in violence
The Toronto police will be rolling out an increased presence across the TTC following a rash of violent, and sometimes random, incidents on the city’s transit system.
-
New video appears to show TTC employee shoving teen prior to 'swarming' attack
New video footage obtained by CP24 appears to show the events leading up to what the TTC has described as a ‘despicable swarming’ attack on two of its employees in Scarborough.
-
Alleged airline ticket scam worth $500k leads to arrest of Ontario man
A Vaughan, Ont. man has been charged, and a warrant has been issued for a Brampton woman, after two people allegedly sold $500,000 worth of fraudulently issued plane tickets.
Calgary
-
'Not true': Justice minister denies crying or yelling during doctor confrontation
Alberta Justice Minister Tyler Shandro says he felt sadness and disappointment when he discovered someone he considered to be a friend had posted a social media post that targeted him and his wife.
-
There's a fee for that: City of Calgary launches first change to permit parking program
The city has launched the first of several changes to its 2023 residential parking permit program, and if you think parking permits are now going to cost you, you're right.
-
Alberta to address rural doctor shortages through training in Lethbridge and Grande Prairie
The provincial government has unveiled its plan to bring more physicians to areas that are currently underserved.
Montreal
-
Ceremony for Quebec mosque attack to be held in prayer room where shooting occurred
A commemoration to mark the sixth anniversary of Quebec's mosque shooting will be held for the first time inside the prayer room where six men were killed.
-
Man, 28, with 'family connection' to slain woman charged with second-degree murder
A 28-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a female relative Wednesday morning in Montreal's Centre-Sud neighbourhood.
-
Montreal mayor wants review of old bylaw banning residents from parking in their own driveways
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante wants a review of an old bylaw that has prevented some residents in an east-end neighbourhood from parking their cars in their own driveways.
Atlantic
-
Soggy winter storm closes N.B. schools, warnings in effect across the Maritimes
A soggy winter storm made its way to the Maritimes Thursday morning, with Environment Canada issuing a combination of rain, snow and wind warnings for the region.
-
Storm Watch: School closures and cancellations
Here is a list of school closures and cancellations for Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
-
Whycocomagh, N.S., man, 18, charged after shooting, break-and-enter
A man is facing multiple charges after a car was shot at in We’koqma’q First Nation and a store was broken into in Whycocomagh, N.S.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba sending second round of cheques to help with inflation
The Manitoba government is issuing a second round of cheques to help people deal with inflation.
-
Steinbach area schools closed following threat
Two schools in the Hanover School Division are closed on Thursday due to phone threats they have received.
-
Winnipeg to continue sister-city relationship with Chengdu, China
The City of Winnipeg will continue its sister-city relationship with Chengdu, China, with the Mayor saying this relationship is not the same as supporting the Chinese government.
Kitchener
-
Hybrid shelter opening date pushed back
The opening date for the Region of Waterloo’s hybrid shelter has been pushed back, with design delays being blamed.
-
About 170K drivers still using defective blue licence plates in Ontario
There are still about 170,000 defective blue licence plates on Ontario's roads three years after production was halted.
-
WRPS seize 29 firearms, 14,500 rounds of ammunition during search warrant
Waterloo regional police say officers seized 29 firearms after executing a search warrant at a residence in Wellesley Township.
Regina
-
Here's how much rent will cost the average tenant in Regina
Rising rent costs and limited options are making it challenging for Regina renters to find the right place to settle into.
-
Regina police officer catches 11 drivers using mobile devices in 3 shifts
A Regina police officer said he caught 11 drivers on mobile devices in three shifts.
-
'We're in this together': Sask. woman spreading joy to other cancer warriors through crocheted keychains
A Saskatchewan woman is focusing on bringing happiness to other people who are battling cancer as she fights the disease herself.
Barrie
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Verdict reached in Barrie murder trial
A jury of six men and six women handed down their verdict Thursday morning for the death of Ryan Babineau, who died after suffering nearly 70 stab wounds and lacerations.
-
Deadly collision in the Blue Mountains under investigation
Police are investigating a deadly collision in the Town of The Blue Mountains Thursday.
-
Barrie police make drug bust at Donald Street motel
One person faces charges after a drug bust at a motel in Barrie Wednesday.
Saskatoon
-
'Just sick to my stomach': Sask. mom says cheer team asked daughter to hide self-harm scars
A Saskatchewan mother says her 13-year-old daughter is being shamed for her past mental health challenges.
-
'It's been a morning': Freezing rain makes for treacherous Saskatoon area commute
Freezing rain on Thursday morning has contributed to dangerous driving conditions in and around Saskatoon.
-
Dozens of cats found in Saskatoon apartment will be euthanized
More than 70 cats found by the Saskatoon Fire Department from a single apartment will have to be put down, Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan (APSS) says.
Northern Ontario
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Victim identified in fatal hit-and-run on Highway 17
A 36-year-old Sault Ste. Marie woman was killed after being hit by a vehicle on Highway 17 east of Bruce Mines last week, police say.
-
Sudbury woman killed when snowmobile goes through ice
The body of a 29-year-old Sudbury nurse was recovered Wednesday night from a lake near Parry Sound after her snowmobile went through the ice, police say.
-
Clients may have received used needles, Sudbury, Ont., harm reduction group says
Anyone who received a single-use needle from Réseau ACCESS Network in Sudbury in the last several months is at risk of serious infection, the group announced Thursday.