Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, Signs on with Province to Pursue Wood First

Campbell River, on Vancouver Island, Signs on with Province to Pursue Wood First

The City of Campbell River is among seven municipalities that signed on to a provincial memorandum of understanding with the Province of BC. Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell coordinated the signing during British Columbia’s Forestry Day at the 2010 Olympic Games. Councillor Ziggy Stewart, Council liaison to the City’s Future of Forestry Task Force, attended to represent Campbell River.

“Campbell River is the hub and the future of the coastal forest industry, and this signing event provided an opportunity to showcase the advantages and excellence we have to offer to investors from around the world,” says Councillor Stewart. “It also affirmed that we support a culture of wood in our local architecture.”

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) will see local government become a partner with the Province of British Columbia to grow a culture of wood in the province. Signatories to the MOU include Campbell River, Prince George, Quesnel, Castlegar, Squamish, Nakusp and Fruitvale.

The agreement recognizes the opportunity for local governments to become wood champions and support the Government of British Columbia’s Wood First Act by advocating for the adoption of Wood First resolutions by municipalities throughout B.C.

“The signing ceremony commits us to the further development of the Wood First policy that will encourage and promote the primary use of wood in municipal structures and confirm our expectations with architects, designers and engineers,” adds Mayor Charlie Cornfield. “The mayors of these communities have also agreed to work with the Union of BC Municipalities in order to achieve benefits available to communities through the expanded use of wood.”

Read more about the community of Campbell River.