MacMillan Bloedel Parks Settlement Agreement Decision

8. CONCLUSION

Based on the input I have received through this public consultation process, my recommendation is that none of the proposed land transfers should be permitted. Rather, MB should be paid in cash as is contemplated by the Settlement Agreement. If any transfers do take place, there must be further consultation with First Nations and further analysis of the implications by interested ministries.

Through the course of this consultation, other matters have been raised by members of the public and form the basis for the following recommendations.

1. Compensation Policy — in order to clarify the Province's position on compensation for loss of resource rights, it is recommended that a clear and transparent policy be developed in order to determine the amount of compensation payable in any particular resource tenure changes. This would be of benefit both to resource holders and to members of the public in evaluating changes in tenure arising from park creation or from settlement of Treaties with First Nations.
2. Treaty Process — communication should be established with First Nations, preferably on a single desk model, in order to ensure that major resource policy changes are not made without prior notification and, if necessary, consultation with affected First Nations.
3. Tenure Reform — the Province should continue its policy review of alternate tenures for forest lands. This should include as large a component of public input as possible given the high interest expressed on this topic throughout this public consultation.

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