‘Na̲mg̲is First Nation and the Province of British Columbia have signed a Section 7 joint decision-making agreement under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the Forest Range and Practices Act to advance reconciliation and ensure sustainable forestry operations on northern Vancouver Island, according to the Government of British Columbia.
The agreement allows the parties to jointly establish Forest Landscape Plans and approve associated Forest Operations Plans within the part of Tree Farm Licence 37 that overlaps ‘Na̲mg̲is territory. The area is located near Woss and Port McNeill.
The arrangement confirms that ‘Na̲mg̲is First Nation are partners in forestry decisions affecting their lands and communities. Chief Victor Isaac said the process secures ‘Na̲mg̲is consent for forest management planning and places Nation values at the centre of stewardship.
TFL 37 is held by Western Forest Products, which has worked with ‘Na̲mg̲is on developing a forest landscape plan since 2021. A draft plan was shared for public review in spring 2024 and updated in 2025 before submission to the government.
The Section 7 agreement enables the completion and approval of both the Forest Landscape Plan and the Forest Operations Plan for the licence area. Western Forest Products president and CEO Steven Hofer said the agreement supports timely approval and implementation while improving transparency and economic resilience.
Public engagement on the draft agreement ran from Oct. 3 to Nov. 2, 2025, following the Province’s release of the draft on Oct. 3, 2025. The final agreement was completed after public input was reviewed.
The Province stated that making Section 7 agreements with Indigenous governing bodies is part of its reconciliation commitments and ensures stability for the forestry sector through clear, consensus-based decision-making.
Government officials, local leaders and industry representatives welcomed the agreement. Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar said it provides certainty, jobs and shared stewardship, while Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Spencer Chandra Herbert described it as strengthening partnerships for sustainable forestry and economic stability.
Port McNeill mayor James Furney said the deal provides stability and benefits for all north Island communities. Truck Loggers Association executive director Peter Lister said it creates needed certainty for harvesting contractors and supports jobs and economic resilience.
The agreement supports the Province’s approach to forest landscape planning, which defines where, when and how harvesting can occur while balancing values such as biodiversity, old growth, watershed health, climate resilience and wildfire risk.
