A local leader in the North Thompson says stakeholders have been very progressive in talks about the future of forestry in the area.

Clearwater mayor Merlin Blackwell says people at the table have had positive, progressive ideas for the future of the industry.

“There’s a real thought process of moving towards managing the ecosystem versus just managing forest sticks and fibre. It’s very inspiring to have that conversation going on, after basically 100 years of the same old way of doing business,” Blackwell says.

“Seeing such a progressive, forward-thinking view of how forestry should be in B.C. moving forward and for the next 50 or 100 years – some of who you would consider the good old boys and good old girls of the industry – they are super forward-thinking. They are bright, they have good ideas.”

Blackwell also says this is a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for reconciliation with First Nations in the region, who are looking for a stake in Canfor’s proposed $60-million-dollar transfer of its cutting rights in the North Thompson to Interfor.

“There’s a door open to say ‘hey, First Nations have a sense of management for the forest and how the environment should be run. They should have a say in this. They deserve to have a say in this.'”