Forest and Environment News:

Preparing Forest, Range Resources For Climate Change – The Chief Forester has released a report, “Preparing for Climate Change: Adapting to Impacts on British Columbia’s Forest and Range Resources,” for public review and comment. Climate change could increase forest and range productivity in certain areas of the province. It may also result in insect and disease outbreaks, forest-damaging events such as ice storms, floods and droughts, a shorter winter logging season and a longer fire season. It also has implications for rangelands, including wildlife habitat and the spread of invasive plants. See the report online at Climate Change Report. Comments on the report and its recommendations will be accepted until July 31, 2006.

Softwood Lumber – For the latest information please see the following websites: BC Lumber Trade Council, Government of Canada or Government of BC.

Local Government News:

Referendum On Electoral Reform To Be Held In Conjunction With Provincial General Election – It was expected that a second referendum on electoral reform was to be held in conjuction with the municipal elections in November 2008. However, the Provincial Government has moved the date of the referendum to May 2009, in conjunction with the provincial general election. For more information see Premier’s statement on electoral reform referendum.

Courts Confirms Expansion of Recovery for Unjust Enrichment – Staples McDannold Stewart has posted an informative client bulletin regarding a recent decision in which the B.C. Court of Appeal extended the remedy of unjust enrichment available to persons dealing with local governments. See Bulletin for more information. In addition, the Spring 2006 issue of their LoGo NoteBook has also been posted, see the LoGo Notebook.