Tla’amin Nation has completed its $80-million purchase of Western Forest Products’ Stillwater Forest Operation near Powell River.
The acquisition gives Qwoqwnes Forestry Holdings Limited Partnership, an entity owned and controlled by the Nation, full ownership of the operation’s assets, including Tree Farm Licence 39, which covers approximately 154,000 hectares of forest land. Most of the area is within Tla’amin Nation’s traditional territory.
Through its Thichum Forest Products business, Qwoqwnes will manage an allowable annual timber harvest of 469,200 cubic metres.
Western Forest Products has also signed a long-term fibre supply agreement to purchase timber harvested from the operation to support its coastal manufacturing facilities.
Thichum vice-president of forestry and forest sustainability Adam Culos said the acquisition will allow the Nation to manage the land according to Tla’amin values while creating local employment and business opportunities.
“Completing this transaction is a significant moment for Thichum and for the qathet region,” said Culos. “It gives us the opportunity to manage these lands in a way that reflects Tla’amin values and long-term stewardship, while building local employment and business opportunities and keeping more of the benefits of forestry in our community. We look forward to working with Western, our employees, contractors, and local partners as we take on this responsibility for the future.”
Western president and CEO Steven Hofer said the agreement provides greater certainty for the company through a long-term timber supply.
“The closing of this Transaction is an important step forward for Western and Tla’amin Nation,” Hofer said. “This milestone acknowledges the unique history, values, and goals of Tla’amin Nation. For Western, it adds certainty and stability to our business through long-term fibre supply and supports our continued focus on transitioning to higher-value product manufacturing.”
