FOREST CAPITAL ANNOUNCED
The “Forest Capital of Canada” designation moved from Ontario to B.C. last week. It became official when Cariboo Regional District chair Al Richmond received a proclamation from the Canadian Forestry Association, which was signed by Canada’s Governor General Michaelle Jean.
The Cariboo region, which covers much of the central part of B.C., is the heart of the province’s interior lumber production and home to many large wood products producers and logging companies.
Representatives from Ontario’s Norfolk County, which previously held the title, were on hand to pass the designation on to the B.C. contingent. Steve Scheers, the superintendent of Norfolk County’s Forest Conservation Service, and Mark Sommerville, the past president of the Norfolk Woodlot Owners Association, made the trek west for the ceremony, which took place in Williams Lake, B.C.
Richmond, who accepted the proclamation on behalf of the district, said the designation will raise awareness of the importance of the forest industry. “I am deeply honoured that the Cariboo Regional District was selected by the Canadian Forestry Association as the 2010-2011 Forest Capital of Canada,” he stated. “The recent past has been extremely challenging for our region, however through this designation, we will celebrate the vital role the forest industry has played in shaping our communities and raise awareness to the importance of this industry on the national and international levels.”
This is the first time in more than 20 years that the Forest Capital of Canada designation has been awarded in B.C. Dave Lemkay of the Canadian Forestry Association attended the event along with a number of politicians, including BC Minister of Forests and Range Pat Bell.
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