British Columbia Forests Minister faces scrutiny over logging and wildfires

British Columbia Forests Minister Ravi Parmar is facing intense scrutiny amid a dual crisis involving old-growth logging disputes and a provincial wildfire state of emergency.

Protesters recently targeted Parmar’s Langford office, accusing the provincial government of failing to protect old-growth forests. Demonstrators claim the province has increased the sale of old-growth timber through BC Timber Sales by 40 per cent, contradicting previous protection commitments. This tension occurs as the forestry sector struggles with economic decline, including the loss of approximately 15,000 jobs since 2022.

Simultaneously, the province is battling over 100 active wildfires, with many out of control. The Bald Range fire has forced the evacuation of roughly 20,000 residents in the South Okanagan and is linked to at least one death. During a press conference in Victoria, Parmar drew criticism for remarks directed at the BC Conservatives, telling them to ‘fill their boots’ if they wish to ‘play politics’ regarding the government’s handling of the wildfire emergency.