The Mayor of Clearwater is hoping that more people in the North Thompson speak out about the $60 million deal between Canfor and Interfor over logging rights.
Merlin Blackwell says Interfor is leading the consultations with various stakeholders, adding it’s in the company’s best interest to lobby in favour of the deal as it stands.
He is urging people to write to both companies and the provincial government.
“Interfor is already going that with the District of Chase looking after their side of the interest on this, but the North Thompson valley stakeholders need to start actively lobbying the minister and actively lobbying the minister to put their say on this as well,” said Blackwell.
He fears the North Thompson valley will be left out if people don’t speak up.
“By volume of letters if it comes out more in favour versus more desiring change to this deal or some sort of compromise, then Interfor wins by default and we really don’t need that to happen,” added Blackwell. “We need this to be a full rounded discussion by all parties.”
“If they don’t get good stakeholder agreement from groups like the District of Clearwater, the TNRD and especially the Simpcw First Nation, it’s going to cause major problems for Interfor moving forward with us, I’m quite sure.”
Canfor and Interfor announced the deal on June 3, and a meeting in Clearwater on Monday night allowed residents to speak directly to representatives from both companies.
The province will decide whether to approve the sale of Canfor’s forest tenure, and Forests Minister Doug Donaldson’s ministry could ask Interfor to go back and do more consulting if needed under the newly-enacted Bill 22.