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This Act is current to November 29, 2023
See the Tables of Legislative Changes for this Act’s legislative history, including any changes not in force.

Forest Act

[RSBC 1996] CHAPTER 157

Contents
Part 1 — Definitions and Interpretation
1Definitions and interpretation
1.1Delegation of minister's powers and duties
1.2Delegation of chief forester's powers and duties
Part 2 — Classification and Management of Forests and Forest Land and Regulation of Cutting Rates
2-4Repealed
5Provincial forests
6Wilderness areas
7Timber supply areas
8Allowable annual cut
8.1Adjusting the allowable annual cut
9Plans, studies, analyses and information
10Apportioning cut
Part 3 — Disposition of Timber by the Government
Division 1 — Forms of Rights to Crown Timber
11Rights to Crown timber
12Form of agreements
Division 2 — Forest Licences
13Applications
13.1Direct award of forest licence to produce bioenergy
13.2Designation of bioenergy supply contracts and specification of allowable annual cut
14Content of forest licence
14.1Mountain pine beetle salvage area
14.2Supplemental forest licence
15Replacement
15.1Transition for forest licence replacement
16Surrender of tree farm licence
17Repealed
18Transfer to other timber supply area
19Consolidation and subdivision of forest licences
Division 3 — Timber Sale Licences
20Applications
21Repealed
22Content of timber sale licence
22.1Exemption from requirement to pay bonus offer
22.2BCTS disposition agreements
22.3Volume harvested under BCTS licence deemed to be harvested under non-BCTS licence for cut control purposes
22.4Payment for timber respecting non-BCTS licence with reduction
23-24Repealed
Division 3.1 — Conversion of Timber Sale Licences
24.1-24.9Repealed
24.91No compensation
Division 4 — Forest Licence Area Restriction
25Permanent transfer to adjacent timber supply area
26Minister may impose area restrictions
Division 5 — Timber Licences
27Rights in tree farm licences
28Rights not in tree farm licence
29One timber licence
29.1Consolidation of timber licences
30Content of timber licence
31Extension of term of timber licence
32Non-timber use
Division 6 — Tree Farm Licences
33Applications
34Repealed
35Content of tree farm licence
35.1Inventories
35.2Management plan for tree farm licence
36Replacement
36.1Transition for tree farm licence replacement
37Private tenure
38Private land
39Consolidation and subdivision of tree farm licences
39.1Change in boundary or area
Division 7 — Pulpwood Agreements
40Repealed
41Content of pulpwood agreement
42Repealed
43Consolidation and subdivision of pulpwood agreements
Division 7.1 — Community Forest Agreements
43.1Repealed
43.2Applications for community forest agreements
43.3Content of community forest agreement
43.4Replacement of community forest agreements
43.41Transition for community forest pilot agreements and probationary community forest agreements
43.5Repealed
43.51Direct award of community forest agreements
43.52Change in area or boundary
43.53Transition for community forest agreement allowable annual cut
Division 7.11 — First Nations Woodland Licences
43.54Award of first nations woodland licence
43.55Content of first nations woodland licence
43.56Replacement of first nations woodland licences
43.57Change in area or boundary
Division 7.2 — Repealed
43.6-43.8Repealed
Division 8 — Woodlot Licences
44Applications
45Content of woodlot licence
45.1Transition for woodlot licence allowable annual cut
46Replacement
46.1Repealed
46.2Consolidation of woodlot licences
47Repealed
47.1Change in area or boundary
47.2Repealed
Division 8.1 — Direct Awards
47.3Direct award of specified licences
Division 8.2 — Licences to Cut
47.4Licence to cut for persons occupying land or for energy resource purposes
47.5Content of occupant and master licences to cut
47.6Forestry licence to cut
47.7Content of forestry licence to cut
47.71Applications for fibre supply licence to cut
47.72Content of a fibre supply licence to cut
47.73Volume deemed to be harvested under licence for cut control purposes
Division 8.3 — Disposition of Timber Acquired under Forestry Revitalization Act or Subject to Waste Assessment
47.8Disposition of timber in a tree farm licence
47.9Disposition of timber not harvested or removed under an agreement
Division 9 — Free Use Permits for First Nations and Others
48Free use permit
49Issuance and content of free use permit
49.1Free use permit in area subject to area-based licence
Division 9.1 — Christmas Tree Permits and Government Use
50Christmas tree permit
51Repealed
52Use by government employees and agents
Part 4 — General Tenure Provisions
Division 1 — Interpretation
53Interpretation and application
53.1Holders of agreements
53.2Corporate relations
Division 2 — Dispositions of Agreements
54Transfer of agreements permitted
54.01Conditions attached to ministerial approval of dispositions
54.02Mandatory refusal of dispositions
54.1Repealed
54.2Confirmation of completion of disposition and effect of completion
54.3Dispositions exempt from certain requirements
54.4Transfer of certain agreements not permitted
54.5Repealed
54.6Effect of disposition on obligations
54.61Suspension of rights if condition of disposition not met
Division 2.1 — Corporate Changes of Control and Amalgamations
54.62Interpretation
54.63Notice of change of control or amalgamation
54.64Review of change of control or amalgamation
54.65Circumstances in which minister may take administrative action
54.66Administrative actions following change of control or amalgamation
54.67Proposal by corporation following administrative action
54.68Exempt changes of control
54.69Subsequent suspension or cancellation of rights
Division 2.2 — Dispositions of Private Lands Subject to Agreements and Exchanges of Rights
54.7Disposition of private land subject to tree farm licence or woodlot licence
54.8Repealed
55-56Repealed
56.1Repealed
57Exchanges of rights
Division 3Extensions, Increases and Reductions
58Repealed
58.1Extension of timber sale licences and cutting permits
58.2Repealed
58.201Transition for cutting permits in effect on November 4, 2003
58.21Postponement of operation of cutting permits
58.3Surrender of BC timber sales agreement
59Increase of allowable annual cut
59.1Innovative forestry practices
60-60.95Repealed
61Temporary reductions
62Return of surrendered harvesting rights
62.1Definitions for sections 63 to 63.05
63Reduction among licences in timber supply area
63.01Determining groups of licences
63.02Distributing timber supply area reductions among groups of licences and ungrouped licences
63.03Distributing remaining part of timber supply area reduction among groups of licences and ungrouped licences
63.04Distributing combined allowable annual cut reductions among licences in groups of licences
63.05Distributing remaining part of combined allowable annual cut reduction among licences in groups of licences
63.1Proportionate reduction if section 59.1 applies
63.2Date of increase or reduction in allowable annual cut and prorating
64-66Repealed
67Repealed
68Increase: disposition or deletion
69Reduction by chief forester of allowable annual cut
70Reductions in allowable annual cut
71Repealed
72Removal of dead or damaged timber
73Removal of dead or damaged timber from a timber supply area
74Timber cruise
75Compatible use
Division 3.01 — Allowable Annual Cut Partition
75.01Definitions
75.02Partition order
75.03Increase or waiver of harvested volume limit in order
75.04Consolidation, subdivision or replacement of licences subject to an order
75.05Penalty for non-compliance with minister's order
75.06Relief from penalty
75.07Regulation making powers
Division 3.1 — Cut Control
75.1Interpretation
75.11Exception for licences that define "volume of timber harvested"
75.12Bonus bid equalization payment for attributed timber volumes
75.2Limit on total cut for licences with a term of 5 years or less
75.21Limit on total cut for forestry licence to cut
75.22Cut control period for short term licences that are extended
75.3Reconciliation of cut control for short term licences
75.4Cut control period for major licences
75.41Cut control limit for major licences
75.5Cut control period for other licences
75.51Cut control limit for other licences
75.6Reconciliation of cut control for major and other licences
75.61Reconciliation of cut control for woodlot licences
75.7Carry forward of excess harvest volume
75.8No carry forward of unharvested volume
75.9Exemption from cut control limits
75.91Penalty for exceeding cut control limits
75.92Relief
75.93Transitional — cut control
75.94Transitional — carry forward
75.95Transitional — volume of timber harvested
75.96Transitional — woodlot licence cut control and carry forward
Division 4 — Suspension and Cancellation
76Suspension of rights
77Cancellation
78BC timber sales — disqualification, suspension and cancellation
78.1BC timber sales — minister's powers of suspension and cancellation
79Continuing liability
Division 4.1 — Miscellaneous
79.1Residual fibre orders
80When compensation is not payable
80.01Repealed
80.1Relief from liability for appurtenancy and processing requirements
80.2Forestry Revitalization Act
Division 5 — Eligibility of Applicants
81Eligibility
81.1Refusal of cutting permit or road permit
Part 5 — Timber Marking
82Timber marking: interpretation
83Timber mark duration
84Timber marks
85Applications
86Scaled timber brands
87Applications
88Marine log brand
89Marking with marine log brand
90Transfer
91Evidence
92Registers
Part 6 — Timber Scaling
93Timber scaling: interpretation
93.1Misrepresentation prohibited
94Timber to be scaled
94.1Scaling of special forest products
95Scale site authorization
96Scale
97Scale return
98Scaling charges, costs and expenses
99Second scale and second check scale
100Scaling
101Re-examination
102Suspension and cancellation
Part 6.1 — Forest Resource Inventories
102.1Definitions for Part 6.1
102.2Requirement to prepare and maintain forest resource inventories
102.3Time periods within which forest resource inventories must be prepared
102.4Content of forest resource inventory
102.5Maintenance of forest resource inventory
102.6Requirement to keep records respecting forest resource inventory
102.7Requirement to submit forest resource inventory to chief forester
102.8Requirement to review forest resource inventory in special circumstances
102.9Verification of information in forest resource inventory
Part 7 — Payments to the Government
103Amount of stumpage
103.1Assessments for merchantable Crown timber that is not cut and removed
104Stumpage rate for timber licence
105Stumpage rate determined
105.1Complete and accurate information
105.2Redetermination of stumpage rate at direction of minister
105.3Small scale salvage costs portion to be paid into special account
106Cruise instead of scale
107More than one rate
108Rate on unscaled or incorrectly scaled timber
109BC Timber Sales Account
110Repealed
111Annual rent
112Calculation of annual rent
112.1Annual rent for council
113Timber cruise
Part 8 — Roads and Rights of Way
114Definition
115Road permits and road use permits for timber harvesting
116Right to harvest Crown timber
117Road use permits for natural resource development purposes
118Road permit content
118.1Deactivation of roads authorized under road permits
119Road use permit content
120Repealed
120.1Declaration of forest service road
121Road and trail construction
Part 9 — Marine Log Salvage
121.1Repealed
122Log salvage district
123Receiving station licence
124Log salvage permit
125Disposal and acquisition of salvaged logs
126Area closure
Part 10 — Manufacture in British Columbia
127Crown timber to be used in British Columbia
127.1Attempt to export timber or wood residue
128Exemptions
129Exemption conditions and permit
Part 11 — Recovery of Money, Miscellaneous
Division 1 — Recovery of Money
130Lien
130.1Limitation period
131Person acquiring or dealing in timber responsible for payment
132Removal permit
133Powers cumulative
Division 2 — Miscellaneous
134Repealed
135Repealed
136Records and returns
136.1Limits on disclosure of reported information
136.2Information about security interests held in agreement
136.3Information about affiliates of corporate agreement holders
137Entry on land
138-139Repealed
140How notice or document may be served
141Extension of time
141.1Duty to comply with orders, exemptions and conditions
142Personal liability
Part 11.1 — Inspections, Audits and Assessments
Division 1 — Interpretation and Application
142.1Definitions and application
Division 2 — Inspection and Collection of Information
142.11Officials
142.2Entry on land or premises
142.21Inspection
142.3Retention of records
142.31Delivery of records
142.4Obligation of a forest revenue official
142.41Obligation of person on request of forest revenue official
142.42Penalty for failure to provide information
142.43Order for compliance
142.5Evidence
Division 3 — Assessment of Stumpage, Fees in Lieu, Penalties and Interest
142.51Assessment of estimated stumpage and interest
142.52Assessment of estimated fee in lieu and interest
142.6Period to be considered in making an assessment
142.61Penalty
142.7Payment of assessed amount
142.71Notice of assessment
142.8Serving a notice of assessment
142.81Proof and onus
Division 4 — Appeals of Assessments
142.9Appeal to revenue minister
142.91Appeal to court
142.92Affect of pending appeals
142.921Part 12 does not apply
Division 5 — General
142.93Information sharing
142.931Information-sharing agreements
142.94Regulations
Part 12 — Reviews, Appeals, Regulations, Penalties
Division 1 — Reviews
143Determination that may be reviewed
144Request for review
145Powers on review
Division 2 — Appeals
146Determinations that may be appealed
146.1Part 8.1 of Forest and Range Practices Act applies
147Parties to appeal
148-148.6Repealed
149Powers of commission
149.1Repealed
149.2Order for compliance
150Repealed
Division 2.1 — Appeals of Contraventions
150.1Forest and Range Practices Act applies to contravention appeals
Division 3 — Regulations
151Regulations
151.01Criteria for exercise of discretionary powers
151.1Regulation making power to establish forest districts
151.2Repealed
151.3Area-based allowable annual cut
151.4Adapting cut control under this Act for the Forestry Revitalization Act
151.5Adapting cut control for provisions respecting conversion of timber sale licences
151.51Adapting cut control for provisions respecting first nations woodland licences
151.6Regulation making power for fibre supply and forestry licence to cut
151.7Regulation making power for first nations woodland licences
151.8Regulation making power in relation to dispositions of agreements and corporate changes of control and amalgamations
151.9Regulation making power in relation to records and returns
152Interpretation for sections 152 to 162
153Requirement for written contracts and subcontracts
154Assignability of contracts and subcontracts
155Mediation and arbitration under contracts and subcontracts
156Register of Timber Harvesting Contract Mediators and Arbitrators
157Requirements for replaceable contracts and subcontracts
157.1Agreement to make a replaceable contract or subcontract non-replaceable
157.2Waiver by licensees, contractors and subcontractors of certain rights under regulations
158Special provision for certain expired contracts
159Applicability of certain prescribed provisions to existing contracts and subcontracts
160Non-compliance with prescribed requirements for contracts and subcontracts
161Included regulatory powers for sections 152 to 161
162No compensation
Division 4 — Offences and Penalties
163Fines
163.1Interference, non-compliance and misleading
164Part 3 offence
164.01Offences in relation to confidential information
164.1Cancellation and disqualification
165Repealed
165.1Prohibition against restricting competition in sale or purchase of logs
165.2Remedies preserved
166Officers of corporation
167Repealed
167.1Defences to a prosecution
167.2Section 5 of the Offence Act
167.3Part 6 of the Forest and Range Practices Act applies
Part 13 — Designated Areas
168Definition
169Specifying Crown land as a designated area
170What is the effect of specifying a designated area?
171Conditions
172Suspension and cancellation
173Allowable annual cut and allowable harvest in a designated area
173.1Effect of reduction on annual allowable cut determination
174Order prevails
175Hearing not required
175.1No compensation during first 4 years of designation
175.2Compensation for fifth and subsequent years of designation
175.3Set-off for benefits previously received
175.4Limit on compensation
Part 14 — Nisg̱a'a Final Agreement Implementation
176Repealed
177Repealed
178Award of licences
179Spent
Part 15Special Purpose Areas
Division 1Definitions for Part 15
180Definitions for Part 15
Division 2Designation of Special Purpose Areas
181Designation for access purpose or non-timber production purpose
182Designation for first nation purpose, BCTS licence purpose or community forest agreement purpose
183Purpose and cancellation date of designation
184Limits on power to extend designation
Division 3Impacts and Restrictions on Area-Based Licences and Timber Licences
185Impacts on harvest profile and AAC of area-based licence
186Impacts on non-TFL timber licence
187Request for information by chief forester
188Notice to holder of area-based licence or non-TFL timber licence
189Deletion of licence area from area-based licence or timber licence
190Order for early deletion of licence area
191Order to extend deletion if special purpose area overlaps cutting permit area
192Cancellation of area-based licence or timber licence if entire licence area deleted
193Effective date of AAC reduction for area-based licence
194Deletion of cutting permit area within licence area
195Deemed amendment to affected agreement or cutting permit
196Order to suspend rights under area-based licence or timber licence
197Restriction on entering into or amending area-based licence or timber licence
Division 4Impacts and Restrictions on Forest Licences
198Definitions for Division 4 of Part 15
199Impacts on harvest profile and AAC of timber supply area
200Notice to holders of forest licences
201Effective date of AAC reduction for timber supply area
202Reduction to forest licences following designation as special purpose area
203Reduction to AAC available for BCTS licences
204Method of reduction if designation made other than for BCTS licence purpose
205Notice and effective date of reductions to forest licences
206Order to amend, suspend or cancel rights under cutting permit under forest licence
207Restriction on entering into or amending certain forest licences
Division 5Impacts and Restrictions on Certain Other Licences and Permits
208Order to amend, suspend or cancel rights under certain other licences or permits
209Restriction on entering into or amending certain other licences or permits
Division 6Impacts and Restrictions on Roads, Ancillary Road Structures and Improvements
210Application of Division 6 of Part 15 to road authorized under special use permit or master licence to cut
211Order to deactivate road
212Government deactivation of road
213Order to amend, suspend or cancel rights in relation to road
214Prohibition on constructing road under pre-existing authorization
215Restriction on authorizing new road
216Prohibition on removing ancillary road structure
217Order that property in ancillary road structure vests in government
218Prohibition on constructing timber production improvement under pre-existing authorization
219Order to amend, suspend or cancel rights in relation to timber production improvement
220Restriction on authorizing new timber production improvement
Division 7General Provisions in Relation to Special Purpose Areas
221Requirement to serve notice of orders
222Extension of time periods
223Exemption for licence entered into for special purposes
224Effect of suspension of rights under Part 15
Division 8Regulations Under Part 15
225Regulations under Part 15
Part 16Compensation in Relation to Special Purpose Areas
Division 1Definitions and Interpretation for Part 16
226Definitions for Part 16
227Meaning of "deletion period"
228Meaning of "net income"
229Meaning of "remaining term"
Division 2Compensation for Area-Based Licences and Non-TFL Timber Licences
230Definitions for Division 2 of Part 16
231Compensation for area-based licence for deletion for access purpose
232Compensation for area-based licence for deletion for non-timber production purpose
233Compensation for area-based licence for deletion for other special purposes
234Compensation for non-TFL timber licence for deletion for access purpose
235Compensation for non-TFL timber licence for deletion for non-timber production purpose
236Compensation for non-TFL timber licence for deletion for other special purposes
Division 3Compensation for Forest Licences
237 Definition for Division 3 of Part 16
238Compensation for forest licence for reduction for access purpose
239Compensation for forest licence for reduction for non-timber production purpose
240Compensation for forest licence for reduction for other special purposes
Division 4Compensation for Cutting Permits
241Compensation if special purpose area overlaps cutting permit area
242Compensation if special purpose area does not overlap cutting permit area
243Compensation for cutting permit under community forest agreement or woodlot licence
244Duty of cutting permit holder to provide information to minister
Division 5Compensation for Other Agreements
245No compensation for fibre supply licence to cut or free use permit
246Compensation for forestry licence to cut
247Compensation for timber sale licence
248No compensation, unless regulations provide otherwise, for pulpwood agreement
249Compensation for Christmas tree permit
Division 6Compensation for Roads and Timber Production Improvements
250Interpretation rule for ancillary road structures
251Application of Division 6 of Part 16 to road authorized under special use permit or master licence to cut
252Compensation for road located in special purpose area
253General requirements for compensation for road
254Compensation for road located outside special purpose area if road associated with cutting permit
255Impact requirements for road associated with cutting permit
256Compensation in other cases if road under road permit located outside special purpose area
257Compensation if road under special use permit located outside special purpose area
258Compensation for timber production improvement located in special purpose area
259Compensation for timber production improvement located outside special purpose area
260Duty of holder of licence to provide information to minister
261Order to cancel rights in relation to road for which compensation provided
Division 7General Provisions in Relation to Compensation
262Compensation may take form of agreement
263Reductions and exceptions in respect of compensation
264Limit on compensation in relation to special purpose areas
Division 8Regulations Under Part 16
265General regulation-making powers for Part 16
266Regulations respecting determination of net income
267Regulations respecting provision of information
268Regulations respecting compensation for cutting permits
269Regulations respecting compensation for roads and timber production improvements
Part 17Reductions for First Nation Purpose or BCTS Licence Purpose
270Definitions for Part 17
271Reduction authorization order
272Impact of reduction authorization order on harvest profile
273Reduction to forest licences following reduction authorization order
274Compensation for forest licence following reduction
275General provisions respecting compensation in relation to reduction authorization orders
276Regulations under Part 17
Part 18Expropriations and Deletions Under the Park Act
277Definitions for Part 18
278Purposes of Part 18
279Regulations under Part 18
Part 19Transitional Provisions for the Forest Amendment Act, 2021
280Definitions for Part 19
281Previous deletions to area-based licences
282Previous deletions to non-TFL timber licences
283Previous deletions to timber licences in tree farm licence areas
284Previous reductions to forest licences
285Entitlement to compensation under former compensation provisions

Part 1 — Definitions and Interpretation

Definitions and interpretation

1   (1) In this Act:

"allowable annual cut" means

(a) in respect of a timber supply area or the licence area of an area-based licence, the rate of timber harvesting determined for the area under section 8, as increased or reduced under this Act, and

(b) in respect of an agreement entered into under this Act specifying an allowable annual cut, the rate of timber harvesting specified in the agreement, as increased or reduced under this Act;

"allowable annual cut available" means the following:

(a) in relation to a tree farm licence, the portion of the allowable annual cut in respect of the tree farm licence area that is accessible by the holder of the tree farm licence after taking the following into account in accordance with the regulations or in accordance with an agreement authorized under section 151 (2) (a.2):

(i) a reservation referred to in section 35 (1) (h) or (n);

(i.1) a reduction under section 35 (1) (n.1);

(ii) a deletion of Crown land from the tree farm licence area under section 39.1 respecting

(A) a reservation under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, or

(B) a reduction under subparagraph (iv) of this paragraph;

(iii) except for the purposes of sections 69 and 70, a reduction under one or both of those sections;

(iv) a reduction under section 3 (3) of the Forestry Revitalization Act;

(b) in relation to a community forest agreement, the portion of the allowable annual cut in respect of the community forest agreement area that is accessible by the holder of the community forest agreement after taking the following into account in accordance with the regulations:

(i) a reservation referred to in section 43.3 (1) (g.2);

(i.1) a reduction under section 43.3 (1) (g.3);

(ii) except for the purposes of section 70, a reduction under that section;

(c) in relation to a first nations woodland licence, the portion of the allowable annual cut in respect of the first nations woodland licence area that is accessible by the holder of the first nations woodland licence after taking the following into account in accordance with the regulations:

(i) a reservation referred to in section 43.55 (1) (h.1);

(i.1) a reduction under section 43.55 (1) (h.2);

(ii) except for the purposes of section 70, a reduction under that section;

(d) in relation to a forest licence, the portion of the allowable annual cut in respect of the forest licence that is available to the holder of the forest licence after taking the following into account in accordance with the regulations:

(i) a reduction under section 14 (1) (g.2);

(ii) except for the purposes of section 70, a reduction under that section;

(e) in relation to a woodlot licence, the portion of the allowable annual cut in respect of the woodlot licence area that is accessible by the holder of the woodlot licence after taking the following into account in accordance with the regulations:

(i) a reduction under section 45 (1) (f.2);

(ii) except for the purposes of section 70, a reduction under that section;

"area-based licence" means the following:

(a) a tree farm licence;

(b) a community forest agreement;

(c) a first nations woodland licence;

(d) a woodlot licence;

"BC timber sales agreement" means

(a) a licence, or

(b) a permit

referred to in any of paragraphs (b) to (f.1) of section 109 (2);

"BCTS" means the BC Timber Sales program within the ministry;

"BCTS licence" means

(a) a timber sale licence under section 20, or

(b) a forestry licence to cut under section 47.6 (3);

"bioenergy" means energy derived from Crown timber;

"bioenergy supply contract" means an energy supply contract as defined in section 68 of the Utilities Commission Act

(a) under which bioenergy is sold to the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, and

(b) that is designated by the minister under section 13.2 (a) as a bioenergy supply contract;

"bonus bid" means a bid

(a) tendered in order to acquire the right to harvest timber under an agreement under this Act,

(b) calculated on a dollar value per cubic metre of competitive species and forest products harvested and measured in compliance with the agreement, and

(c) payable from time to time in accordance with the agreement;

"bonus offer" means an amount of money that is tendered in order to acquire the right to harvest timber under an agreement under this Act, irrespective of the volume and type of competitive species and forest products harvested under the agreement;

"chief forester" means the chief forester appointed under the Ministry of Forests and Range Act;

"commercial operation date" means the date determined under a bioenergy supply contract as the commercial operation date;

"commission" has the same meaning as "Forest Appeals Commission";

"commissioner" means the person designated to be the commissioner under section 142.11 (1);

"community forest agreement area" means the area of land subject to a community forest agreement;

"Crown land" has the same meaning as in the Land Act, but does not include land owned by an agent of the government;

"Crown timber" means timber on Crown land, or timber reserved to the government;

"cultural heritage resource" means an object, a site or the location of a traditional societal practice that is of historical, cultural or archaeological significance to British Columbia, a community or an aboriginal people;

"cutting permit" means a cutting permit issued under an agreement entered into under this Act;

"district manager" means a district manager appointed for a forest district under the Ministry of Forests and Range Act;

"dwelling" means

(a) a structure that is occupied as a private residence, and

(b) if only part of a structure is occupied as a private residence, that part of the structure;

"eligible bioenergy application" means an application for a non-replaceable forest licence under section 13.1 that

(a) is made by an applicant

(i) who is the seller of bioenergy under a bioenergy supply contract, and

(ii) whom the minister or a person authorized by the minister considers to be qualified to perform the obligations specified under section 13.1 (2) (c),

(b) conforms to section 13.1 (2), and

(c) is not rejected under section 81 (3) or refused under section 81 (5);

"first nations woodland licence area" means the area of land subject to a first nations woodland licence;

"Forest Appeals Commission" means the Forest Appeals Commission continued under section 140.1 of the Forest and Range Practices Act;

"forest officer" means a person employed in the ministry of the minister responsible for the administration of this Act who is designated by name or title to be a forest officer by the minister;

"forest region" means a forest region established by regulation;

"forest service road" means a road on Crown land that is declared under this Act or the former Act to be a forest service road;

"former Act" means the Ministry of Forests Act repealed by the Forest Act, S.B.C. 1978, c. 23;

"government" means the government of British Columbia;

"licence area" means the following:

(a) in relation to a tree farm licence, the tree farm licence area;

(b) in relation to a community forest agreement, the community forest agreement area;

(c) in relation to a first nations woodland licence, the first nations woodland licence area;

(d) in relation to a woodlot licence, the woodlot licence area;

(e) in relation to a timber licence, the area of land to which the timber licence applies;

"licence to cut" means

(a) a master licence to cut,

(b) an occupant licence to cut,

(c) a forestry licence to cut, and

(d) a fibre supply licence to cut;

"major licence" means

(a) a timber sale licence that was issued under section 23 (1) (a) before its repeal,

(b) a forest licence,

(c) a timber licence,

(d) a tree farm licence, and

(e) a forestry licence to cut that

(i) specifies that it is a major licence,

(ii) is issued to satisfy the obligations of the government under a pulpwood agreement, or

(iii) is entered into under section 47.3 (1) (a);

"merchantable timber", for the purposes of sections 28, 30 (c) and 74, means timber that

(a) on January 1, 1975 was older than 75 years, and

(b) is on an area of Crown land in quantities determined by the minister to be sufficient to be commercially valuable at the time when a timber cruise submitted under section 74 is made;

"objectives set by government" means objectives set by government as defined in section 1 (1) of the Forest and Range Practices Act;

"operational plan" means an operational plan under the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, before its repeal, or the Forest and Range Practices Act;

"Peace River Block" means that rectangular block of land in the Peace River Land District of British Columbia with corners having these geographical values:

northeast corner, latitude 56º40'57.95", longitude 119º59'59.25";

southeast corner, latitude 55º38'09.04", longitude 119º59'59.76";

southwest corner, latitude 55º37'15.75", longitude 121º56'02.45";

northwest corner, latitude 56º40'01.66", longitude 121º59'13.18";

"private land" means land that is not Crown land;

"private tenure" means a timber licence, or private land, in a tree farm licence area;

"professional forester" means a professional forester as defined in the Professional Governance Act;

"Provincial forest" means forest land designated under section 5;

"pulpwood agreement" means a pulpwood agreement entered into before April 1, 2003 under Part 3, Division 7;

"pulpwood area" means an area designated under section 40 before its repeal;

"regional manager" means a regional manager appointed for a forest region under the Ministry of Forests and Range Act;

"revenue minister" means the Minister of Finance;

"road use permit" means a road use permit granted under section 117;

"salvaged logs" means salvaged logs as defined by regulation;

"special forest products" means forest products designated by regulation as special forest products;

"special purpose area" means an area of Crown land that is designated under Division 2 of Part 15 as a special purpose area;

"special use permit" means a special use permit referred to in section 2 of the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act;

"timber" means trees, whether standing, fallen, living, dead, limbed, bucked or peeled;

"timber processing facility" means a facility that processes timber or wood residue or both;

"timber sales manager" means

(a) [Repealed 2006-13-1.]

(b) a timber sales manager appointed under the Ministry of Forests and Range Act for a BC timber sales business area;

"timber supply area" means land designated as a timber supply area under section 7;

"tree farm licence area" means the area of land subject to a tree farm licence;

"wood residue" means wood chips, slabs, edgings, sawdust, shavings and hog fuel;

"woodlot licence area" means the area of land subject to a woodlot licence.

(2) A reference in this Act to the minister or the minister's designate, or the minister or a person authorized by the minister, or any similar reference is not to be construed as meaning that a reference to the minister alone requires the minister to deal with the matter personally, and a reference to the minister alone is to be construed as a reference to the minister or any appropriate official of his or her ministry.

(3) Despite the Expropriation Act, that Act does not apply, except as expressly provided in this Act, in respect of a taking, deletion or reduction, under this Act, of any right or interest held by a person under this Act or the former Act.

(4) For the avoidance of doubt it is declared that the reference in subsection (3) to a taking, deletion or reduction includes a taking, deletion and reduction in respect of which notice was given before that subsection came into force.

(5) For the purposes of this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates, a reference to a licence, agreement or permit listed in section 12 is a reference to that licence, agreement or permit as entered into or granted under this Act.

Delegation of minister's powers and duties

1.1   (1) Subject to a regulation made under section 151 (2) (b.1), the minister, in writing, may

(a) delegate a power or duty of the minister under this Act, including a quasi-judicial power or duty, to

(i) a person employed in a ministry,

(ii) a class of persons employed in a ministry, or

(iii) an agent of the Crown,

(b) provide directions that are binding on the delegate respecting the exercise of the power or the performance of the duty, and

(c) vary or revoke a delegation or direction.

(2) In respect of a power or duty delegated under this section, this Act and the regulations apply to the delegate as they apply to the minister.

(3) A delegate, if not prohibited by a direction of the minister under subsection (1) (b), may subdelegate the power or duty to

(a) a person employed in a ministry,

(b) a class of persons employed in a ministry, or

(c) an agent of the Crown.

Delegation of chief forester's powers and duties

1.2   (1) The chief forester, in writing, may

(a) delegate a power or duty of the chief forester under this Act to

(i) a person employed in a ministry, or

(ii) a class of persons employed in a ministry,

(b) provide directions that are binding on the delegate respecting the exercise of the power or the performance of the duty, and

(c) vary or revoke a delegation or direction.

(2) In respect of a power or duty delegated under this section, this Act and the regulations apply to the delegate as they apply to the chief forester.

Part 2 — Classification and Management of Forests and Forest Land and Regulation of Cutting Rates

Repealed

2-4   [Repealed 2002-45-2.]

Provincial forests

5   (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may designate any forest land as a Provincial forest and may order that Provincial forests be consolidated or divided.

(2) Notice of an order made under subsection (1) must be published in the Gazette.

(3) All Crown land in a tree farm licence area is a Provincial forest and, if an amendment is made to the boundaries of a tree farm licence area, the boundaries of the Provincial forest are deemed to be amended accordingly.

(4) Crown land in a Provincial forest must not be disposed of under the Taxation (Rural Area) Act or, subject to subsection (5), under the Land Act.

(5) Crown land in a Provincial forest may be disposed of under the Land Act for

(a) an easement or right of way, or

(b) any other purpose that the chief forester considers is compatible with the uses described in section 2 (1) of the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act or that is permitted by regulations made under that Act,

but, except for the purposes of a highway, transmission line, or pipeline right of way, a disposition must not be made of the fee simple interest in the land.

(6) If the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers it will be to the social and economic benefit of British Columbia, he or she may cancel a Provincial forest, except for land in a tree farm licence area.

(7) If the minister considers it will be to the social and economic benefit of British Columbia, he or she may delete land from a Provincial forest, except for land in a tree farm licence area.

(8) If a Provincial forest that contains one or more wilderness areas is cancelled or land that composes one or more wilderness areas is deleted from the Provincial forest, those wilderness areas are reduced by the land that has been so deleted or cancelled.

(9) Land that is deleted from a Provincial forest and is granted by the government, but later reverts to the government, is deemed to be included in the Provincial forest without further order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Wilderness areas

6   The Lieutenant Governor in Council may designate any Crown land in a Provincial forest as a wilderness area, cancel such designation or amend the boundaries of a wilderness area.

Timber supply areas

7   The minister may

(a) designate land as a timber supply area, and

(b) order the consolidation, division or abolition of timber supply areas or order their boundaries changed.

Allowable annual cut

8   (1) The chief forester must determine an allowable annual cut at least once every 10 years after the date of the last determination, for

(a) the Crown land in each timber supply area, excluding the Crown land in the licence areas of area-based licences, and

(b) each tree farm licence area.

(2) If the minister

(a) makes an order under section 7 (b) respecting a timber supply area, or

(b) amends or enters into a tree farm licence to accomplish a result set out under section 39 (2) or (3),

the chief forester must make an allowable annual cut determination under subsection (1) for the timber supply area or tree farm licence area

(c) within 10 years after the order under paragraph (a) or the amendment or entering into under paragraph (b), and

(d) after the determination under paragraph (c), at least once every 10 years after the date of the last determination.

(3) If

(a) the allowable annual cut for the tree farm licence area is reduced under section 9 (3), and

(b) the chief forester subsequently determines, under subsection (1) of this section, the allowable annual cut for the tree farm licence area,

the chief forester must determine an allowable annual cut at least once every 10 years from the date the allowable annual cut under subsection (1) of this section is effective under section 9 (6).

(3.1) If, in respect of the allowable annual cut for a timber supply area or tree farm licence area, the chief forester considers that the allowable annual cut that was determined under subsection (1) is not likely to be changed significantly with a new determination, then, despite subsections (1) to (3), the chief forester

(a) by written order may postpone the next determination under subsection (1) to a date that is up to 15 years after the date of the relevant last determination, and

(b) must give written reasons for the postponement.

(3.2) If the chief forester, having made an order under subsection (3.1), considers that because of changed circumstances the allowable annual cut that was determined under subsection (1) for a timber supply area or tree farm licence area is likely to be changed significantly with a new determination, he or she

(a) by written order may rescind the order made under subsection (3.1) and set an earlier date for the next determination under subsection (1), and

(b) must give written reasons for setting the earlier date.

(4) If the allowable annual cut for the tree farm licence area is reduced under section 9 (3), the chief forester is not required to make the determination under subsection (1) of this section at the times set out in subsection (1) or (2) (c) or (d), but must make that determination within one year after the chief forester determines that the holder is in compliance with section 9 (2).

(5) In respect of an allowable annual cut determined under this Act, the chief forester may, at any time, specify that portions of the allowable annual cut are attributable to one or more of the following:

(a) different types of timber or terrain in different parts of Crown land within a timber supply area or tree farm licence area;

(a.1) different areas of Crown land within a timber supply area or tree farm licence area;

(b) different types of timber or terrain in different parts of private land within a tree farm licence area.

(c) [Repealed 1999-10-1.]

(5.1) The chief forester may, at any time, amend or cancel a specification made under subsection (5).

(6) The minister must determine an allowable annual cut for each woodlot licence area in accordance with the woodlot licence for that area.

(7) The minister must determine an allowable annual cut for

(a) each community forest agreement area in accordance with the community forest agreement for that area, and

(b) each first nations woodland licence area in accordance with the first nations woodland licence for that area.

(8) In determining an allowable annual cut under subsection (1) the chief forester, despite anything to the contrary in an agreement listed in section 12, must consider

(a) the rate of timber production that may be sustained on the area, taking into account

(i) the composition of the forest and its expected rate of growth on the area,

(ii) the expected time that it will take the forest to become re-established on the area following denudation,

(iii) silviculture treatments to be applied to the area,

(iv) the standard of timber utilization and the allowance for decay, waste and breakage expected to be applied with respect to timber harvesting on the area,

(v) the constraints on the amount of timber produced from the area that reasonably can be expected by use of the area for purposes other than timber production, and

(vi) any other information that, in the chief forester's opinion, relates to the capability of the area to produce timber,

(b) the short and long term implications to British Columbia of alternative rates of timber harvesting from the area,

(c) [Repealed 2003-31-2.]

(d) the economic and social objectives of the government, as expressed by the minister, for the area, for the general region and for British Columbia, and

(e) abnormal infestations in and devastations of, and major salvage programs planned for, timber on the area.

(9) Subsections (1) to (4) of this section do not apply in respect of the management area, as defined in section 1 (1) of the Haida Gwaii Reconciliation Act.

(10) Within one year after the chief forester receives notice under section 5 (4) (a) of the Haida Gwaii Reconciliation Act, the chief forester must determine, in accordance with this section, the allowable annual cut for

(a) the Crown land in each timber supply area, except the areas excluded under subsection (1) (a) of this section, and

(b) each tree farm licence area

in the management area, as defined in section 1 (1) of the Haida Gwaii Reconciliation Act.

(11) The aggregate of the allowable annual cuts determined under subsections (6), (7) and (10) that apply in the management area, as defined in section 1 (1) of the Haida Gwaii Reconciliation Act, must not exceed the amount set out in a notice to the chief forester under section 5 (4) (a) of that Act.

Adjusting the allowable annual cut

8.1   (1) The allowable annual cut is adjusted as prescribed in the regulations as follows:

(a) for the Crown land in a timber supply area, excluding tree farm licence areas, community forest agreement areas, first nations woodland licence areas and woodlot licence areas,

(i) if the minister makes an order under section 7 (b) respecting the timber supply area, or

(ii) in other prescribed circumstances;

(b) for a tree farm licence area

(i) if the minister replaces or amends the tree farm licence under section 39 (2) or (3), subject to section 39 (6),

(ii) if the minister changes the boundary or area of the tree farm licence under section 39.1, or

(iii) in other prescribed circumstances.

(2) [Repealed 2021-38-21.]

Plans, studies, analyses and information

9   (1) The chief forester may require the holder of a tree farm licence, at the holder's expense, to

(a) prepare and supply any plans, studies and analyses, and

(b) obtain and supply any information,

that the chief forester considers adequate to assist in the determination of an allowable annual cut for the tree farm licence area.

(2) The holder of the tree farm licence must

(a) prepare and supply the plans, studies and analyses, and

(b) obtain and supply the information,

required under subsection (1) and must do so at the time and in the form and manner required by the chief forester.

(3) If the chief forester determines that the holder of a tree farm licence has failed to comply with subsection (2), the allowable annual cut for the tree farm licence area in effect at the time of the determination is reduced by 25% effective January 1 of the year following the year in which the determination is made.

(4) If, on the first anniversary of a determination under subsection (3), the chief forester determines that the holder of the tree farm licence has not yet complied with subsection (2), the allowable annual cut in effect immediately before that determination is reduced by 25% effective January 1 of the year following the year in which that determination is made.

(5) If a determination is made by the chief forester under subsection (4) and

(a) subsequent to that determination but before the reduction becomes effective under that subsection, the chief forester determines that the holder has complied with subsection (2), the reduction that was due to come into effect is cancelled, and

(b) after the reduction becomes effective under that subsection, the chief forester determines that the holder has complied with subsection (2), the allowable annual cut in effect immediately before the reduction is restored.

(6) If the allowable annual cut for the tree farm licence area is reduced under subsection (3) or (4), the next allowable annual cut for the tree farm licence area determined by the chief forester under section 8 (1), despite the reduction, is effective on the date the reduction took place under subsection (3).

Apportioning cut

10   (1) The minister may specify that a portion of the allowable annual cut determined for the Crown land in a timber supply area under section 8 (1) (a) is available for granting under a form of agreement referred to in section 12.

(2) The minister if permitted to do so under a tree farm licence may make available for granting under Divisions 2, 3 and 7 of Part 3, to persons other than the holder of the tree farm licence, portions of the allowable annual cut determined for the tree farm licence area that have been specified by the chief forester under section 8 (5) (a).

Part 3 — Disposition of Timber by the Government

Division 1 — Forms of Rights to Crown Timber

Rights to Crown timber

11   Subject to the Land Act and the Park Act, rights to harvest Crown timber must not be granted by or on behalf of the government except in accordance with this Act and the regulations.

Form of agreements

12   (1) The minister may enter on behalf of the government into an agreement granting rights to harvest Crown timber in the form of a

(a) forest licence,

(b) [Repealed 2004-36-4.]

(c) timber licence,

(d) tree farm licence,

(e) community forest agreement,

(e.1) first nations woodland licence,

(f) [Repealed 2021-38-22.]

(g) woodlot licence,

(h) licence to cut,

(i) free use permit,

(j) Christmas tree permit, or

(k) road permit.

(2) A timber sales manager may enter on behalf of the government into an agreement granting rights to harvest Crown timber in the form of a

(a) timber sale licence,

(b) forestry licence to cut, or

(c) road permit.

Division 2 — Forest Licences

Applications

13   (1) In this section, "eligible application" means an application made in response to an invitation for applications under subsection (2) that

(a) is made by an applicant

(i) who has tendered as required under subsection (2) (b),

(ii) whom the minister or a person authorized by the minister considers to be qualified to perform the obligations specified under subsection (3) (c), and

(iii) who is in a category of applicants established by regulation, if the application is for a non-replaceable forest licence and the minister has specified that applications for those licences must only be accepted from one or more categories of applicants established by regulation as set out in subsection (2.1),

(b) conforms to subsection (3), and

(c) is not rejected under section 81 (3) or refused under section 81 (5).

(2) On request or on the minister's own initiative and by advertising in the prescribed manner, the minister or a person authorized by the minister

(a) may invite applications for a forest licence, and

(b) in doing so, must require that the applicant by written tender in a sealed container propose only a bonus bid or only a bonus offer.

(2.1) The minister may specify that applications for a non-replaceable forest licence must only be invited, under subsection (2), from one or more categories of applicants as established by regulation.

(3) An application for a forest licence must

(a) be in the form required by the minister or a person authorized by the minister,

(b) include an offer by the applicant to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act,

(i) stumpage under Part 7,

(ii) waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the forest licence, but, at the licensee's discretion, was not cut and removed, and

(iii) either a bonus bid or bonus offer, whichever is required under subsection (2), in the amount tendered, and

(c) include any information that the minister or a person authorized by the minister may require about the applicants' qualifications to

(i) carry out timber harvesting operations under the licence, or

(ii) perform specified obligations

(A) under the licence, or

(B) in respect of the licence or its holder, under this Act or another enactment.

(4) On receipt of applications and tenders in response to an invitation advertised under subsection (2), the minister or a person authorized by the minister

(a) may approve the eligible application of the applicant whose proposed bonus bid or bonus offer is the highest of those tendered by all applicants with eligible applications, or

(b) may decline to approve any of the eligible applications.

(5) If the applicant referred to in subsection (4) does not enter into a forest licence as required under subsection (6), the minister or a person authorized by the minister

(a) may approve the eligible application of the applicant whose proposed bonus bid or bonus offer is the next highest of those tendered by all applicants with eligible applications, or

(b) may decline to approve any of the eligible applications.

(6) If an eligible application is approved under this section, the minister and the applicant whose application is approved must enter into a forest licence.

Direct award of forest licence to produce bioenergy

13.1   (1) [Repealed 2011-18-2.]

(2) An application for a non-replaceable forest licence under this section must

(a) be in the form required by the minister or a person authorized by the minister,

(b) specify an allowable annual cut for the forest licence that is considered by the minister to be consistent with the maximum allowable annual cut for a timber supply area specified by the minister under section 13.2 (b), and

(c) include any information that the minister or a person authorized by the minister may require about the applicant's qualifications to

(i) carry out timber harvesting operations under the licence, or

(ii) perform specified obligations

(A) under the licence, or

(B) in respect of the licence or its holder, under this Act or another enactment.

(3) On receipt of an eligible bioenergy application, the minister or a person authorized by the minister must approve the application.

(4) The approval of an eligible bioenergy application under subsection (3) is revoked

(a) if the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority or the applicant terminates the bioenergy supply contract before the commercial operation date, or

(b) if

(i) an approved eligible bioenergy application is rejected under section 81 (3) or refused under section 81 (5), and

(ii) the applicant has not brought the application into compliance with section 81 (3) or (5), as applicable, within 90 days following the commercial operation date.

(5) The minister and the applicant of an approved eligible bioenergy application must enter into a non-replaceable forest licence on or after the commercial operation date if, on the commercial operation date, the application

(a) is not rejected under section 81 (3) or refused under section 81 (5), or

(b) is rejected under section 81 (3) or refused under section 81 (5) but is brought into compliance with section 81 (3) or (5), as applicable, within 90 days following the commercial operation date.

(6) If the applicant refuses to enter into a forest licence under subsection (5)

(a) the approval of the eligible bioenergy application under subsection (3) is revoked, and

(b) the minister or a person authorized by the minister may increase the allowable annual cut specified in an existing forest licence entered into under this section by the volume of the allowable annual cut that was to be specified in the forest licence the applicant refused to enter into under subsection (5).

(7) In addition to setting out the matters described in section 14 (1), a forest licence entered into under subsection (5)

(a) must provide that timber harvested under the licence is restricted to a type of timber or terrain, or portion of a timber supply area, and

(b) may include other terms and conditions that the minister considers are necessary or desirable in relation to the bioenergy supply contract.

Designation of bioenergy supply contracts and specification of allowable annual cut

13.2   For the purposes of section 13.1, the minister may

(a) designate an energy supply contract as a bioenergy supply contract, and

(b) specify the maximum allowable annual cut in a timber supply area that may be subject to one or more bioenergy supply contracts.

Content of forest licence

14   (1) A forest licence

(a) must be for a term not exceeding 20 years, subject to sections 15 and 16,

(b) must specify a timber supply area or tree farm licence area in which the holder of the licence may harvest Crown timber,

(b.1) may require, subject to subsection (2), that timber harvesting under the licence be restricted to one or more of the following:

(i) a portion of a timber supply area;

(ii) a type of timber;

(iii) a type of terrain,

(c) must specify an allowable annual cut that may be harvested under the licence, subject to sections 15 and 16,

(c.1) if it provides that a replacement for it must not be offered, must specify the maximum volume of timber that may be harvested under the licence,

(d) must require its holder to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act,

(i) stumpage under Part 7,

(ii) waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the forest licence, but, at its holder's discretion, is not cut and removed, and

(iii) a bonus bid or bonus offer, whichever is required under section 13, in the amount tendered under that section,

(e) must provide for cutting permits with terms that do not exceed 4 years to be issued by the district manager, or a forest officer authorized by the district manager, within the limits provided in the forest licence and subject to this Act and the Forest and Range Practices Act, to authorize its holder to harvest the allowable annual cut, from specified areas of land within the timber supply area or tree farm licence area specified in the forest licence,

(f) [Repealed 2003-30-2.]

(g) may make provision for timber to be harvested by persons under contract with its holder,

(g.1) that is entered into with a first nation or its representative to implement or further an agreement between the first nation and the government respecting treaty-related measures, interim measures or economic measures, must state that it is a condition of the licence that the first nation comply with the agreement,

(g.2) may require that the amount of timber on Crown land under the forest licence that is available to the holder of the forest licence be reduced by a specified amount of timber for a specified period of time for the purpose of entering into one or more BCTS licences, respecting all or part of the specified amount of timber, with one or more persons other than the holder of the forest licence, and

(h) may include other terms and conditions, consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, determined by the minister.

(2) A requirement described in subsection (1) (b.1) must not be included in the following:

(a) a forest licence entered into before the date this subsection comes into force, unless

(i) the forest licence already includes the requirement, or

(ii) the holder of the forest licence agrees to include the requirement;

(b) a replacement for a replaceable forest licence, unless paragraph (a) (i) or (ii) of this subsection applies in relation to the replaceable forest licence.

(3) A requirement described in subsection (1) (g.2) must not be included in the following:

(a) a forest licence entered into before the date this subsection comes into force, unless the holder of the forest licence agrees to include the requirement;

(b) a replacement for a replaceable forest licence, unless

(i) the forest licence already includes the requirement, or

(ii) the holder of the forest licence agrees to include the requirement;

(c) a forest licence that replaces a tree farm licence or forest licence under section 16, or that replaces or amends a forest licence under section 19, unless

(i) the tree farm licence or forest licence that is replaced or amended already includes the requirement, or

(ii) the holder of the forest licence that replaces a tree farm licence or forest licence, or that replaces or amends a forest licence, agrees to include the requirement.

Mountain pine beetle salvage area

14.1   (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council, by regulation, may

(a) designate Crown land infested by mountain pine beetles as a mountain pine beetle salvage area for a prescribed period, and

(b) repeal or amend a regulation under paragraph (a).

(2) A forest licence that includes all or part of a mountain pine beetle salvage area, in addition to setting out the matters described in section 14 (1), may

(a) require any type of security, including but not limited to money, to be provided and maintained by the holder of the forest licence to ensure

(i) within a specified period or according to a required schedule of construction, or both, the construction or expansion of a timber processing facility that conforms to specified requirements, and

(ii) the reforestation of areas described in the licence by reference to one or more of geographic location, type of timber and type of terrain,

(A) at a rate of reforestation, and

(B) over a period

specified in the licence,

(b) specify one or more of the following:

(i) the type of security that is acceptable or unacceptable;

(ii) the form and content of the security;

(iii) the circumstances under which the security may be realized;

(iv) respecting the distribution of the realized security,

(c) provide that its holder may not harvest under the licence until the timber processing facility has been substantially completed to the satisfaction of the minister, and

(d) [Repealed 2014-7-2.]

(e) include other terms and conditions that the minister considers are necessary or desirable in relation to mountain pine beetle infestation in the mountain pine beetle salvage area.

(3) If a forest licence referred to in subsection (2)

(a) requires security to be provided and maintained, as described in paragraph (a) of that subsection, and

(b) the holder of the licence has provided the security,

the minister by notice served on the holder may cancel the licence in the circumstances specified under paragraph (b) (iii) of that subsection.

Supplemental forest licence

14.2   (1) In this section:

"restricted forest licence" means a non-replaceable forest licence entered into under section 13 (6) for which applications are invited on or after July 1, 2011 from one or more categories of applicants as established under section 13 (2.1);

"supplemental forest licence" means a restricted forest licence that includes the condition described in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) A supplemental forest licence, in addition to setting out the matters described in section 14 (1), must specify that timber may be harvested under the licence only if the minister is satisfied that the holder of the licence has taken the steps specified in the licence to obtain from other sources the timber and wood residue needed for processing facilities owned or leased by the holder.

(3) In respect of a supplemental forest licence, the requirement in section 14 (1) (e) is subject to the condition referred to in subsection (2) of this section.

Replacement

15   (1) In this section, "forest licence" means a forest licence other than one that provides that a replacement for it must not be offered.

(1.1) During the period beginning 6 months after the fourth anniversary of a forest licence and ending on the ninth anniversary, the minister or a person authorized by the minister may offer the holder of the forest licence a replacement for it, after first giving the holder at least 2 months' notice of intent to offer the replacement.

(1.2) During the 6 months beginning on the ninth anniversary of a forest licence for which a replacement has not by then been offered under subsection (1.1), the minister or a person authorized by the minister must offer the holder of the forest licence a replacement for it.

(2) Despite subsection (1.2), if the minister or a person authorized by the minister determines that

(a) rights under the existing forest licence are under suspension, or

(b) the holder of the existing forest licence has failed to

(i) pay stumpage or other money payable in respect of timber harvested under the forest licence or a road permit associated with the forest licence,

(ii) provide security or a deposit required under this Act or the Forest and Range Practices Act in respect of the forest licence or a road permit associated with the forest licence,

(iii) perform an obligation under the forest licence to be performed by the holder in respect of an area of land specified in

(A) a cutting permit previously issued under the forest licence, or

(B) a road permit associated with the forest licence, or

(iv) comply with a requirement under this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act or the Wildfire Act in respect of an area of land referred to in subparagraph (iii),

the minister or a person authorized by the minister, to the extent provided in the regulations,

(c) may decline to offer a replacement for the existing forest licence until

(i) the suspension is rescinded,

(ii) the suspended rights are reinstated, or

(iii) the holder of the existing forest licence

(A) pays the stumpage or other money payable,

(B) provides the required security or deposit,

(C) performs the obligation to be performed under the existing forest licence in respect of land referred to in paragraph (b) (iii), or

(D) complies with the requirement under this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act or the Wildfire Act in respect of land referred to in paragraph (b) (iii), and

(d) may offer a replacement with special conditions.

(3) A forest licence offered under this section must

(a) have a term beginning

(i) if the forest licence is replaced under subsection (1.1), on the earlier of

(A) the next anniversary of the existing forest licence being replaced under the offer, and

(B) the immediate past anniversary of the existing forest licence being replaced under the offer, if the minister or a person authorized by the minister and the holder of the forest licence agree in writing,

(i.1) if the forest licence is replaced under subsection (1.2), on the tenth anniversary of the existing forest licence being replaced under the offer, or

(ii) if the minister or a person authorized by the minister exercises the power conferred under subsection (2) (c), on a date to be determined by the minister or a person authorized by the minister,

(b) be for a term equal to

(i) 15 years, or

(ii) if the minister or a person authorized by the minister exercises the power conferred under subsection (2) (c), a period, not exceeding the period referred to in subparagraph (i), to be determined by the minister or a person authorized by the minister,

(c) specify the timber supply area specified in the existing forest licence,

(d) subject to takings, reductions and deletions authorized or required under this Act, specify an allowable annual cut that may be harvested under it equal to the allowable annual cut under the existing forest licence, and

(e) include other terms and conditions, consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, set out in the offer.

(4) A notice of intent to offer a replacement referred to in subsection (1.1) and an offer of replacement made under subsection (1.2) must be published in the prescribed manner.

(5) An offer made under this section may be

(a) amended, and

(b) accepted by written notice of acceptance served on a person designated by the minister not later than 3 months after the offer is served.

(6) If an offer made under this section is accepted

(a) a forest licence containing the terms and conditions set out in the offer, including amendments, must be entered into by the minister and the holder of the forest licence, and

(b) the forest licence then in force expires on the commencement of the replacement licence.

(7) If an offer made under this section is not accepted, the existing forest licence continues in force until its term expires, after which it has no further effect.

(8) No forest licence is renewable.

Transition for forest licence replacement

15.1   (1) If an offer of a replacement for a forest licence

(a) was required to be made under section 15 within the 18 month period immediately preceding the date on which this section comes into force, and

(b) was not made within the 18 month period,

the offer of replacement, when made, must conform to section 15 of this Act as amended by the Forest (Revitalization) Amendment Act (No. 2), 2003.

(2) If an offer of a replacement for a forest licence

(a) was required to be made under section 15 within the 18 month period immediately preceding the date on which this section comes into force, and

(b) was made within this 18 month period,

the offer may be withdrawn if the person to whom the offer was made consents to the withdrawal of the offer.

(3) If an offer is withdrawn under subsection (2), the minister or person authorized by the minister must offer a replacement for the forest licence, and the offer must conform to section 15 of this Act as amended by the Forest (Revitalization) Amendment Act (No. 2), 2003.

Surrender of tree farm licence

16   (1) The holder of one or more tree farm licences or of any number of both tree farm licences and forest licences may apply to the minister to surrender all or part of them for replacement under

(a) subsection (2), by one or more forest licences, or

(b) subsections (2) and (3), by a combination of one or more tree farm licences and one or more forest licences.

(2) If the minister has approved an application under subsection (1), the minister, in respect of the surrendered licences or surrendered portions of them, must enter with their holder into one or more forest licences

(a) for a term of 15 years,

(b) that specify one or more timber supply areas within which the holder may harvest Crown timber, and

(c) that, in total, specify an allowable annual cut equal to the total, or a lesser portion of the total that the minister and the holder agree on, of

(i) the allowable annual cuts specified in the surrendered forest licences, plus increases and minus decreases, if any, in the allowable annual cuts made by the government since they were entered into, and

(ii) the portion of the allowable annual cuts available to the tree farm licence holder at the time of the surrender that the chief forester determines is attributable to the Crown land in the portions of the tree farm licences that are surrendered and on which the timber is not otherwise encumbered.

(3) If part of a tree farm licence is surrendered under subsection (1), the minister, in respect of the portion that is not surrendered, must enter with the holder into a new tree farm licence.

(4) The minister must not enter into a new tree farm licence under subsection (3) until a management plan for the proposed tree farm licence is approved under section 35.2.

(5) A notice of the surrender and proposed replacement under subsection (1) must be published in the prescribed manner.

(6) [Repealed 2004-36-6.]

Repealed

17   [Repealed 2003-31-9.]

Transfer to other timber supply area

18   With the approval of the minister and the consent of the holder of a forest licence, all or part of the cutting rights authorized under the forest licence may be transferred from one timber supply area to another for a term specified by the minister.

Consolidation and subdivision of forest licences

19   (1) [Repealed 2009-8-2.]

(2) Subject to this section, the minister, by one or more of the methods set out in subsection (5), may

(a) replace 2 or more forest licences held by the same person for the same timber supply area with one of those forest licences or a new forest licence held by that person for that timber supply area, or

(b) amend a single forest licence held by a person for a timber supply area and enter into one or more forest licences held by that person for that timber supply area,

if the minister first receives the consent of the holder of the licences or licence.

(3) Subject to this section, the minister, by a method or combination of methods under subsection (5), must

(a) replace 2 or more forest licences held by the same person for the same timber supply area with one of those forest licences or a new forest licence held by that person for that timber supply area, or

(b) amend a single forest licence held by a person for a timber supply area and enter into one or more forest licences held by that person for that timber supply area,

if the holder requests the replacement or amendment by written request delivered to the minister.

(4) The minister may refuse to replace or amend, under subsection (3), one or more forest licences if the minister considers that the replacement or amendment would compromise forest management.

(5) For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3), the methods are as follows:

(a) reducing the allowable annual cut specified in a forest licence and increasing the allowable annual cut for one or more other forest licences by a volume equal to the reduction;

(b) amending or cancelling a forest licence;

(c) entering into one or more forest licences.

(6) In making a replacement or amendment referred to in subsection (2) or (3), the minister must ensure that the total of the allowable annual cuts, after the replacements, amendments or both, of all of the forest licences involved remains the same as it was immediately before any replacements or amendments under this section.

(7) A forest licence as described

(a) in paragraph (a) of the definition of "licence" in section 75.4 (1), or

(b) in section 75.5

may not be replaced under subsection (2) or (3) except with a forest licence that is also a forest licence as described

(c) in paragraph (a) of the definition of "licence" in section 75.4 (1), or

(d) in section 75.5.

(8) A replaceable forest licence may not be replaced under subsection (2) or (3) except with a forest licence that is also replaceable.

(9) A forest licence that provides that a replacement for the forest licence must not be offered may not be replaced under subsection (2) or (3) except with a forest licence that also provides that a replacement for it must not be offered.

(10) Despite section 14 (1) (a), a forest licence that is amended or entered into under this section must not expire later than the earliest expiry date of the forest licence it replaces or amends.

Division 3 — Timber Sale Licences

Applications

20   (1) In this section, "eligible application" means an application made in response to an invitation for applications under subsection (2) that

(a) is made by an applicant who has tendered as required under subsection (2) (b),

(b) conforms to subsection (3), and

(c) is not rejected under section 81 (3) or refused under section 81 (5).

(2) On request or on his or her own initiative and by advertising in the prescribed manner, the timber sales manager

(a) may invite applications for a timber sale licence, and

(b) in doing so,

(i) may specify that applications for the timber sale licence are to be accepted only from one or more categories of BC timber sales enterprises as established by regulation, and

(ii) must require that the applicant by written tender in a sealed container propose only a bonus bid or only a bonus offer.

(3) An application for a timber sale licence must

(a) be in the form required by the timber sales manager, and

(b) include an offer by the applicant to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act,

(i) stumpage under Part 7,

(ii) if the timber sale licence will describe one or more areas of land within which its holder may harvest Crown timber, waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the timber sale licence, but, at the licensee's discretion, is not cut and removed, and

(iii) either a bonus bid or bonus offer, whichever is required under subsection (2), in the amount tendered.

(4) On receipt of applications and tenders in response to an invitation advertised under subsection (2), the timber sales manager

(a) must approve the eligible application of the applicant whose proposed bonus bid or bonus offer is the highest of those tendered by all applicants with eligible applications, or

(b) at the direction of the minister, must decline to approve any of the eligible applications.

(5) If the applicant referred to in subsection (4) does not enter into a timber sale licence as required under subsection (6), the timber sales manager

(a) may approve the eligible application of the applicant whose proposed bonus bid or bonus offer is the next highest of those tendered by all applicants with eligible applications, or

(b) may decline to approve any of the eligible applications.

(6) If an eligible application is approved under this section, the timber sales manager and the applicant whose application is approved must enter into a timber sale licence.

Repealed

21   [Repealed 2003-31-12.]

Content of timber sale licence

22   A timber sale licence

(a) must be for a term not exceeding 4 years,

(b) must describe

(i) one or more areas of land within which its holder may harvest Crown timber, or

(ii) the location of logs that are being sold,

(c) may specify a volume or an estimate of the volume of timber that may be harvested from an area of land described in the timber sale licence,

(d) [Repealed 2004-36-9.]

(e) may include provisions

(i) specifying standards and programs established by one or more standard making bodies,

(ii) requiring the holder of the licence to meet the standards and programs specified under subparagraph (i), and

(iii) specifying the manner in which the holder of the licence must conduct operations under the licence in order to meet the standards and programs specified under subparagraph (i),

(e.1) may specify when and how a bonus offer required under section 20 must be paid and, if the bonus offer may be paid in instalments, the amount of each instalment,

(f) must require its holder to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act,

(i) stumpage under Part 7,

(ii) if the timber sale licence describes one or more areas of land within which its holder may harvest Crown timber, waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the timber sale licence, but, at its holder's discretion, is not cut and removed,

(iii) if a bonus bid is required under section 20, a bonus bid in the amount tendered under that section, and

(iv) if a bonus offer is required under section 20, a bonus offer in the amount tendered under that section, at the times and in the manner, if any, specified in the timber sale licence, unless the holder of the licence is exempt under section 22.1 from the requirement to pay the bonus offer, and

(g) may include other terms and conditions, consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, determined by the timber sales manager.

Exemption from requirement to pay bonus offer

22.1   (1) The holder of a timber sale licence for which a bonus offer was tendered is not required to pay the bonus offer if the licence is surrendered or expires before any Crown timber is harvested under the timber sale licence.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a timber sale licence for which applications under section 20 are invited before the date this section comes into force.

BCTS disposition agreements

22.2   (1) In this section and sections 22.3 and 22.4:

"BCTS disposition agreement" means a BCTS disposition agreement referred to in subsection (2);

"non-BCTS licence" means a forest licence, tree farm licence, community forest agreement, first nations woodland licence or woodlot licence.

(2) The minister may enter into a BCTS disposition agreement on behalf of the government for the purposes of

(a) allowing the holder of a non-BCTS licence to temporarily release to the government some of the holder's rights to harvest Crown timber under the non-BCTS licence, and

(b) making the released rights available for disposition, to persons other than the holder of the non-BCTS licence, in the form of one or more BCTS licences.

(3) The minister may not enter into a BCTS disposition agreement that would allow for the release of rights to harvest Crown timber under a non-BCTS licence if any of the rights under the non-BCTS licence are under suspension, in whole or in part, under section 76.

(4) A BCTS disposition agreement

(a) must describe the rights that the holder of the non-BCTS licence is releasing to the government, including identifying the non-BCTS licence under which those rights are held,

(b) must specify the consideration to be provided by the government to the holder of the non-BCTS licence for the value of the rights released to the government,

(c) may provide that the BCTS disposition agreement ends on a specified date, and

(d) may provide for any other matter the minister considers necessary for the purposes of subsection (2).

(5) The exclusive right to harvest Crown timber under a tree farm licence, community forest agreement, first nations woodland licence or woodlot licence is subject to the right to harvest Crown timber under a BCTS licence if

(a) rights to harvest Crown timber under the tree farm licence, community forest agreement, first nations woodland licence or woodlot licence are released to the government under a BCTS disposition agreement, and

(b) the BCTS licence is entered into or granted as a result of the release of rights referred to in paragraph (a).

(6) Nothing under this section, or under a BCTS disposition agreement entered into under this section, limits the application of any of the following:

(a) a reservation referred to in section 35 (1) (h) or (n), 43.3 (1) (g.2) or 43.55 (1) (h.1);

(b) section 14 (1) (g.2), 35 (1) (n.1), 43.3 (1) (g.3), 43.55 (1) (h.2), 45 (1) (f.2), 47.9, 49.1, 61, 72, 73, 75.8, 115, 116, 117 or 118.

Volume harvested under BCTS licence deemed to be harvested
under non-BCTS licence for cut control purposes

22.3   For the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in section 75.1 (1) and the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in a licence referred to in section 75.11 (1), if

(a) rights to harvest Crown timber under a non-BCTS licence are released to the government under a BCTS disposition agreement, and

(b) a BCTS licence is entered into or granted as a result of the release of rights referred to in paragraph (a),

the amount of timber that is merchantable Crown timber that is removed under the BCTS licence is deemed to be harvested under the non-BCTS licence.

Payment for timber respecting non-BCTS licence with reduction

22.4   (1) In this section, "reduced non-BCTS licence" means a non-BCTS licence that includes a requirement referred to in section 14 (1) (g.2), 35 (1) (n.1), 43.3 (1) (g.3), 43.55 (1) (h.2) or 45 (1) (f.2).

(2) The minister, in accordance with the regulations, must pay to the holder of a reduced non-BCTS licence the amount determined in accordance with the regulations for the amount of timber that is disposed of under a BCTS licence.

Repealed

23-24   [Repealed 2003-31-14.]

Division 3.1 — Conversion of Timber Sale Licences

Repealed

24.1-24.9   [Repealed 2023-10-284.]

No compensation

24.91   Compensation is not payable by the government and proceedings must not be commenced or maintained to claim compensation from the government or to obtain a declaration that compensation is payable by the government in respect of

(a) the enactment of this Division, or

(b) obligations, including silviculture and other forest management obligations imposed under the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act or the Forest and Range Practices Act, that apply to an agreement resulting from or entered into under any of sections 24.2 to 24.9 as those sections read immediately before their repeal.

Division 4 — Forest Licence Area Restriction

Permanent transfer to adjacent timber supply area

25   (1) Subject to subsection (2), the minister may

(a) direct that the right to harvest timber under a forest licence be transferred from one timber supply area to an adjacent timber supply area specified by the minister, and

(b) amend the forest licence to give effect to the direction.

(2) The minister must not give a direction under subsection (1) transferring the right to harvest timber under a forest licence from one timber supply area to an adjacent timber supply area, unless

(a) the boundaries between the timber supply area specified in the forest licence and the adjacent timber supply area have been changed under this Act,

(b) the minister is satisfied that the change in boundaries increased the area of the adjacent timber supply area to a size sufficient to support the transferred right to harvest timber, and

(c) the holder of the forest licence consents.

Minister may impose area restrictions

26   (1) In this section, "original licence" means a forest licence that is the subject of an order under subsection (2).

(2) If a timber supply area has been divided under section 7 (b), the minister may order that the allowable annual cut under a forest licence

(a) be fully allocated to one of the timber supply areas resulting from the division, or

(b) be allocated, in the proportions specified in the order, between or among 2 or more of the timber supply areas resulting from the division.

(3) If an order is made under subsection (2), the minister, in accordance with subsection (4), must issue to the holder of the original licence one or more forest licences in substitution for the original licence.

(4) A forest licence issued under subsection (3)

(a) must specify one of the timber supply areas resulting from the division and authorize an allowable annual cut as necessary to give effect to the order of the minister under subsection (2),

(b) [Repealed 2003-31-18.]

(c) must specify a term that expires on the expiry date of the original licence,

(d) is replaceable on the same terms and conditions as the original licence, if the original licence is replaceable under section 15, and in that case, for the purpose of determining the obligations pertaining to replaceability under the new licence, the new licence is deemed to have been issued at the same time as the original licence, and

(e) subject to subsection (5), must otherwise be on the same terms and conditions as the original licence.

(5) After giving the holder of the original licence an opportunity to be heard, the minister, at the time of issuing a licence under subsection (3), may include in it terms and conditions that vary from those in the original licence to the extent only that the minister considers necessary in order to take into account the allocation referred to in subsection (2).

(6) to (8) [Repealed 2003-31-18.]

Division 5 — Timber Licences

Rights in tree farm licences

27   If a tree farm licence expires or otherwise terminates and is not replaced under section 36, a timber licence that is then in the tree farm licence area

(a) expires one year after the expiry or termination of the tree farm licence, and

(b) may be replaced by a timber licence under section 28.

Rights not in tree farm licence

28   (1) A person who holds a timber licence that is due to expire under section 27 (a) may submit to a person designated by the minister, within 6 months after expiry or termination of the tree farm licence, a schedule proposing a time and a sequence for the orderly harvesting of the merchantable timber that is subject to the licence.

(2) After considering a schedule proposed under subsection (1), the minister, in a notice served on its holder within 3 months after receiving the schedule, must offer to the holder one or more timber licences that, subject to section 74,

(a) describe the Crown land subject to the timber licence, and

(b) expire on a date specified in the timber licence by the minister.

(3) The offer may be accepted by written notice served on a person designated by the minister not later than 3 months after it is made.

(4) If the offer is accepted, the minister and the holder must enter into a timber licence.

(5) A notice of an offer made under subsection (3) must be published in the prescribed manner.

One timber licence

29   If the minister considers that efficient forest planning and management would be served, he or she must enter into one timber licence under section 28 (4) for 2 or more timber licences.

Consolidation of timber licences

29.1   (1) With the consent of the holder of a timber licence, the minister may consolidate 2 or more timber licences into a timber licence and, to achieve the consolidation, may do any of the following:

(a) partition or subdivide a timber licence into 2 or more timber licences;

(b) delete all or part of the licence area from a timber licence and add the deleted area to the licence area of another timber licence;

(c) cancel a timber licence if the area covered by the licence has been added to the licence area in another timber licence;

(d) amend a timber licence;

(e) enter into one or more timber licences covering the same land as was covered in the licences being consolidated, subdivided or partitioned.

(2) A timber licence that is amended or entered into under this section must not expire later than the latest expiry date of the timber licences it replaces or amends.

Content of timber licence

30   A timber licence must

(a) describe an area of Crown land over which it is to apply,

(b) be for a term determined under this Division,

(c) grant to its holder the exclusive right during its term to harvest all merchantable timber in the area of Crown land described in it,

(d) if the timber licence is in a tree farm licence area, require its holder to harvest timber in accordance with the tree farm licence and the management plan for the tree farm licence approved under section 35.2,

(e) provide for cutting permits with terms that do not exceed 4 years to be issued by the district manager, or a forest officer authorized by the district manager, within the limits provided in the timber licence and subject to this Act and the Forest and Range Practices Act, to authorize the holder of the timber licence to harvest Crown timber from specified areas of land within the area of Crown land described in the timber licence,

(f) require its holder to pay the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act,

(i) stumpage under Part 7, and

(ii) waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the timber licence, but at its holder's discretion, is not cut and removed, and

(g) include other terms and conditions, consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, determined by the minister.

Extension of term of timber licence

31   On application of the holder of a timber licence, the minister may extend the term of the licence for a period not exceeding 3 years if the licence is in effect on April 26, 2004 and the application is made

(a) before the expiration of the term, or

(b) despite the expiration of the term, if the term expires on April 26, 2004 and before the elapse of 60 days after May 13, 2004.

Non-timber use

32   (1) Unless a timber licence is in a tree farm licence area, if the minister determines that all or any part of the area of land that is subject to the licence is needed for a purpose other than timber production, the minister, in a notice served on the holder of the licence, may require that the merchantable timber on that area or that part be harvested within the time specified in the notice.

(2) On the expiry of the specified time, or of an extension of that time granted by the minister, the minister may delete from the licence the area of land described in the notice.

Division 6 — Tree Farm Licences

Applications

33   (1) In this section, "eligible application" means an application made in response to an invitation for applications under subsection (4) that

(a) is made by an applicant

(i) who has tendered as required under subsection (5) (b), and

(ii) whom the minister or a person authorized by the minister considers to be qualified to perform the obligations specified under subsection (5) (c),

(b) conforms to subsection (5), and

(c) is not rejected under section 81 (3) or refused under section 81 (5).

(2) On request or on the minister's own initiative, the minister or a person authorized by the minister may

(a) convene a public hearing in which any person may make a submission as to whether or not a specified area should become a tree farm licence area, and

(b) determine the procedures for the public hearing.

(3) After a public hearing under subsection (2),

(a) the minister must

(i) review the submissions made during the hearing and any other information he or she considers relevant, and

(ii) recommend to the Lieutenant Governor in Council whether or not the specified area referred to in subsection (2) (a) should become a tree farm licence area, and

(b) on receiving the recommendation of the minister, the Lieutenant Governor in Council, by order, may

(i) authorize the minister to invite applications for a tree farm licence for all or part of the specified area, or

(ii) decline to do so.

(4) If the minister receives authorization under subsection (3) (b) (i), he or she, by advertising in the prescribed manner,

(a) may invite applications for a tree farm licence, and

(b) in doing so, must require that the applicant by written tender in a sealed container propose only a bonus bid or only a bonus offer.

(5) An application for a tree farm licence must

(a) be in the form specified by the minister,

(b) include an offer by the applicant to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act,

(i) stumpage under Part 7,

(ii) waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the tree farm licence, but, at the licensee's discretion, is not cut and removed, and

(iii) either a bonus bid or bonus offer, whichever is required under subsection (4), in the amount tendered, and

(c) include any information that the minister or a person authorized by the minister may require about the applicants' qualifications to

(i) carry out timber harvesting operations under the licence, or

(ii) perform specified obligations

(A) under the licence, or

(B) in respect of the licence or its holder, under this Act or another enactment.

(6) On receipt of applications and tenders in response to an invitation advertised under subsection (4), the minister

(a) may approve the eligible application of the applicant whose proposed bonus bid or bonus offer is the highest of those tendered by all applicants with eligible applications, or

(b) may decline to approve any of the eligible applications.

(7) If the applicant referred to in subsection (6) does not enter into a tree farm licence as required under subsection (8), the minister

(a) may approve the eligible application of the applicant whose proposed bonus bid or bonus offer is the next highest of those tendered by all applicants with eligible applications, or

(b) may decline to approve any of the eligible applications.

(8) Subject to subsection (10), if an eligible application is approved under this section, the minister and the applicant whose application is approved must enter into a tree farm licence.

(9) The minister may reserve from disposition under this Act the timber in an area that is the subject of a public hearing convened under subsection (2) or described in the advertising referred to in subsection (4), pending the entering into of a tree farm licence or the rejection of all applications submitted under this section.

(10) The minister must not enter into a tree farm licence under this section until a management plan for the proposed tree farm licence area is approved under section 35.2.

Repealed

34   [Repealed 2003-31-21.]

Content of tree farm licence

35   (1) A tree farm licence must

(a) subject to section 36 (3) (a), be for a term of 25 years,

(b) subject to sections 33 and 39, describe a tree farm licence area, determined by the minister or a person authorized by the minister, comprising Crown land, the timber on which is unencumbered except by the licence, and if the area includes

(i) private land, or

(ii) Crown land subject to a timber licence

also comprising that land,

(c) require its holder to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act,

(i) stumpage under Part 7 for timber harvested under the tree farm licence on Crown land or under a timber licence on Crown land in the tree farm licence area,

(ii) waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the tree farm licence or timber licence, but, at the licensee's discretion, is not cut and removed, and

(iii) a bonus bid or bonus offer, whichever is required under section 33, in the amount tendered under that section,

(d) [Repealed 2007-18-13.]

(e) subject to this Act and the licence, grant to its holder the exclusive right to harvest from the tree farm licence area during the term of the tree farm licence one or both of the following:

(i) Crown timber of one or more types specified in the tree farm licence,

(ii) Crown timber from one or more types of terrain specified in the tree farm licence,

(f) provide for cutting permits with terms that do not exceed 4 years to be issued by the district manager, or a forest officer authorized by the district manager, within the limits provided in the tree farm licence and subject to this Act and the Forest and Range Practices Act, to authorize its holder to harvest the allowable annual cut available to its holder from specified areas of land within the tree farm licence area,

(g) [Repealed 2010-12-7.]

(h) require that timber on the tree farm licence area, in an amount directed by the minister, having regard to reservations made by the minister for

(i) BC timber sales enterprises,

(ii) pulpwood agreements, or

(iii) woodlot licences,

is to be available for disposition under

(iv) timber sale licences or forestry licences to cut, or

(v) Division 7 or 8 of this Part

to persons other than the holder of the tree farm licence,

(i) make provision for its holder to use the services of one or more professional foresters to manage the tree farm licence area,

(j) require that each year during its term a volume of timber not less than

(i) 50% of the volume of timber harvested by or for its holder from the tree farm licence area during the year, multiplied by

(ii) the result obtained by the division of

(A) the portion of the allowable annual cut available to its holder during that year that the chief forester determines is attributable to Crown land referred to in paragraph (b) and sections 37 (1) and 38, by

(B) the allowable annual cut available to its holder during that year

are to be harvested by persons under contract with its holder,

(k) allow its holder to contract for the harvesting of more than the volume calculated under paragraph (j),

(l) provide that the minister, under the regulations, may relieve the holder, in whole or in part, from the requirement under paragraph (j),

(m) [Repealed 2003-30-2.]

(n) reserve to the government the right to enter into a free use permit on the tree farm licence area with a person other than the holder of the tree farm licence,

(n.1) may require that the amount of timber on Crown land within the tree farm licence area that is available to the holder of the tree farm licence be reduced by a specified amount of timber for a specified period of time for the purpose of entering into one or more BCTS licences, respecting all or part of the specified amount of timber, with one or more persons other than the holder of the tree farm licence, and

(o) contain other terms and conditions, consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, determined by the minister.

(1.1) A requirement described in subsection (1) (n.1) must not be included in the following:

(a) a tree farm licence entered into before the date this subsection comes into force, unless the holder of the tree farm licence agrees to include the requirement;

(b) a replacement for a replaceable tree farm licence, unless

(i) the tree farm licence already includes the requirement, or

(ii) the holder of the tree farm licence agrees to include the requirement;

(c) a tree farm licence that replaces a tree farm licence under section 16, or that replaces or amends a tree farm licence under section 39, unless

(i) the tree farm licence that is replaced or amended already includes the requirement, or

(ii) the holder of the tree farm licence that replaces or amends a tree farm licence agrees to include the requirement.

(2) A disposition of timber under Division 3 or 7 of this Part pursuant to this section, or pursuant to a requirement referred to in subsection (1) (h), does not give rise to any right to or eligibility for compensation under this Act or otherwise.

Inventories

35.1   (1) In this section, "recreation resources" has the same meaning as it has in the Forest and Range Practices Act.

(2) If, having regard to the factors listed in subsection (5), the chief forester determines that a management plan for a tree farm licence does not satisfactorily provide for an inventory of the forest, recreation and cultural heritage resources of the tree farm licence area, the chief forester may give a notice to the holder of the licence requiring the holder of the licence to compile and submit the inventories set out in the notice.

(3) The notice given under subsection (2) may specify the following requirements:

(a) the manner in which the inventories are prepared;

(b) the format in which the inventories are presented;

(c) the specifications the inventories must meet;

(d) the date the inventories must be submitted to the chief forester.

(4) In addition to compiling any inventories required under the management plan, the holder of the tree farm licence must compile and submit the inventories required in the notice given under subsection (2) and comply with any requirements referred to in subsection (3) that are set out in the notice.

(5) The chief forester may determine that a management plan for a tree farm licence does not satisfactorily provide for an inventory of the forest, recreation and cultural heritage resources of the tree farm licence area if, in the opinion of the chief forester, inventories prepared in accordance with the management plan would not provide sufficient information to adequately

(a) establish and carry out objectives set by government,

(b) prepare and carry out operational plans,

(c) manage and conserve the forest, recreation and cultural heritage resources of the tree farm licence area, and

(d) assess the impact that managing the resources referred to in paragraph (c) would have on the timber supply for the tree farm licence area.

Management plan for tree farm licence

35.2   (1) A management plan for a tree farm licence may be approved in accordance with the regulations if the management plan

(a) is submitted in accordance with the regulations, and

(b) conforms to prescribed requirements.

(2) A management plan approved under subsection (1)

(a) is effective for the period of time specified in the regulations, and

(b) may be replaced or extended in accordance with the regulations.

(3) The tree farm licence holder must comply with a management plan approved under subsection (1) or replaced or extended under subsection (2).

(4) The requirements in a tree farm licence respecting the content of a management plan do not apply to a management plan approved under subsection (1) or replaced or extended under subsection (2).

(5) A management plan for a tree farm licence that is in effect when this section comes into force

(a) is deemed to be approved under subsection (1), and

(b) despite subsection (4), must comply with the requirements in the tree farm licence respecting management plans until the management plan is replaced under subsection (2).

Replacement

36   (1) In this section, "tree farm licence" means a tree farm licence other than one that provides that a replacement for it must not be offered.

(1.1) During the period beginning 6 months after the fourth anniversary of a tree farm licence and ending on the ninth anniversary, the minister may offer the holder of the tree farm licence a replacement for it, after first giving the holder at least 2 months' notice of intent to offer the replacement.

(1.2) During the 6 months beginning on the ninth anniversary of a tree farm licence for which a replacement has not by then been offered under subsection (1.1), the minister must offer the holder of the tree farm licence a replacement for it.

(2) Despite subsection (1.2), if the minister determines that

(a) rights under the existing tree farm licence are under suspension, or

(b) the holder of the existing tree farm licence has failed to

(i) pay stumpage or other money payable in respect of timber harvested under the tree farm licence or a road permit associated with the tree farm licence,

(ii) provide security or a deposit required under this Act or the Forest and Range Practices Act in respect of the tree farm licence or a road permit associated with the tree farm licence,

(iii) perform an obligation under the tree farm licence to be performed by the holder in respect of an area of land specified in

(A) a cutting permit previously issued under the tree farm licence, or

(B) a road permit associated with the tree farm licence, or

(iv) comply with a requirement under this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act or the Wildfire Act in respect of an area of land referred to in subparagraph (iii),

the minister, to the extent provided in the regulations,

(c) may decline to offer a replacement for the existing tree farm licence until

(i) the suspension is rescinded,

(ii) the suspended rights are reinstated, or

(iii) the holder of the existing tree farm licence

(A) pays the stumpage or other money payable,

(B) provides the required security or deposit,

(C) performs the obligation to be performed under the existing tree farm licence in respect of land referred to in paragraph (b) (iii), or

(D) complies with the requirement under this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act or the Wildfire Act in respect of land referred to in paragraph (b) (iii), and

(d) may offer a replacement with special conditions.

(3) A tree farm licence offered under this section must

(a) be for a term equal to

(i) 25 years, or

(ii) if the minister exercises the power conferred under subsection (2) (c), a period, not exceeding 25 years, to be determined by the minister,

(b) have a term beginning

(i) if the tree farm licence is replaced under subsection (1.1), on the earlier of

(A) the next anniversary of the existing tree farm licence being replaced under the offer, and

(B) the immediate past anniversary of the existing tree farm licence being replaced under the offer, if the minister or a person authorized by the minister and the holder of the tree farm licence agree in writing,

(i.1) if the tree farm licence is replaced under subsection (1.2), the tenth anniversary of the existing tree farm licence being replaced under the offer, or

(ii) if the minister exercises the power conferred under subsection (2) (c), on a date to be determined by the minister,

(c) subject to sections 37, 38 and 39, describe as a tree farm licence area the area subject to the existing tree farm licence, and

(d) include other terms and conditions, consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, set out in the offer.

(4) A notice of intent to offer a replacement referred to in subsection (1.1) and an offer of replacement made under subsection (1.2) must be published in the prescribed manner.

(5) An offer made under this section may

(a) be amended, and

(b) be accepted by written notice of acceptance served on the minister not later than 3 months after the offer is served.

(6) If an offer made under this section is accepted

(a) a tree farm licence containing the terms and conditions set out in the offer, including amendments, must be entered into by the minister and the holder of the tree farm licence, and

(b) the existing tree farm licence expires on the commencement of the replacement licence.

(7) If an offer made under this section is not accepted, the existing tree farm licence continues in force until its term expires, after which it has no further effect.

(8) No tree farm licence is renewable.

Transition for tree farm licence replacement

36.1   (1) If an offer of a replacement for a tree farm licence

(a) was required to be made under section 36 within the 18 month period immediately preceding the date on which this section comes into force, and

(b) was not made within the 18 month period,

the offer of replacement, when made, must conform to section 36 of this Act as amended by the Forest (Revitalization) Amendment Act (No. 2), 2003.

(2) If an offer of a replacement for a tree farm licence

(a) was required to be made under section 36 within the 18 month period immediately preceding the date on which this section comes into force, and

(b) was made within the 18 month period,

the offer may be withdrawn if the person to whom the offer was made consents to the withdrawal of the offer.

(3) If an offer is withdrawn under subsection (2), the minister or person authorized by the minister must offer a replacement for the tree farm licence, and the offer must conform to section 36 of this Act as amended by the Forest (Revitalization) Amendment Act (No. 2), 2003.

Private tenure

37   (1) On the expiry of a timber licence that is held by the holder of a tree farm licence and that is in the tree farm licence area, the land that was subject to the timber licence remains in the tree farm licence area and continues to be subject to its provisions.

(2) and (3) [Repealed 2003-31-25.]

Private land

38   Private land that is transferred to the government remains subject to a tree farm licence if the private land is in the tree farm licence area.

Consolidation and subdivision of tree farm licences

39   (1) [Repealed 2009-8-4.]

(2) Subject to this section, the minister, by a method or combination of methods under subsection (5), may

(a) replace 2 or more tree farm licences held by the same person with one of those tree farm licences held by that person or a new tree farm licence held by that person, or

(b) amend a single tree farm licence held by a person and enter into one or more tree farm licences held by that person,

if the minister first receives the consent of the holder of the licences or licence.

(3) Subject to this section, the minister, by a method or combination of methods under subsection (5), must

(a) replace 2 or more tree farm licences held by the same person with one of those tree farm licences held by that person or a new tree farm licence held by that person, or

(b) amend a single tree farm licence held by a person and enter into one or more tree farm licences held by that person,

if the holder requests the replacement or amendment by written request delivered to the minister.

(4) The minister may refuse to replace or amend, under subsection (3), one or more tree farm licences if the minister considers that the replacement or amendment would compromise forest management.

(5) For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3), the methods are as follows:

(a) deleting all or part of the licence area from a tree farm licence and adding the deleted area to the licence area of another tree farm licence;

(b) cancelling a tree farm licence if the area covered by the licence has been added to the licence area in another tree farm licence;

(c) amending a tree farm licence;

(d) entering into one or more tree farm licences covering the same land as was covered in the licences being replaced.

(e) [Repealed 2007-18-17.]

(6) If the minister makes a replacement or amendment referred to in subsection (2) or (3), the total of the allowable annual cuts, after the replacements, amendments or both, of all of the tree farm licences involved must remain the same as it was immediately before any replacements or amendments under this section.

(7) A tree farm licence as described in paragraph (c) of the definition of "licence" in section 75.4 (1) may not be replaced under subsection (2) or (3) except with a tree farm licence that is also a tree farm licence as described in paragraph (c) of the definition of "licence" in section 75.4 (1).

(7.1) A replaceable tree farm licence may not be replaced under subsection (2) or (3) except with a tree farm licence that is also replaceable.

(7.2) A tree farm licence that provides that a replacement for the tree farm licence must not be offered may not be replaced under subsection (2) or (3) except with a tree farm licence that also provides that a replacement for it must not be offered.

(8) Despite section 35 (1) (a), a tree farm licence that is amended or entered into under this section must not expire later than the earliest expiry date of the tree farm licences it replaces or amends.

Change in boundary or area

39.1   (1) The minister may change the boundary or area of a tree farm licence with the consent of its holder.

(2) The discretion of the minister under subsection (1) includes the discretion to change the boundary or area of the tree farm licence with the consent of its holder by

(a) adding private land of the holder of the tree farm licence to the area of the licence, or

(b) removing private land from the area of the licence.

Division 7 — Pulpwood Agreements

Repealed

40   [Repealed 2003-31-27.]

Content of pulpwood agreement

41   (1) A pulpwood agreement must

(a) be for a term not exceeding 25 years,

(b) describe as a pulpwood area the area described in the agreement as it was on April 1, 2003,

(c) require its holder to construct, expand or continue a timber processing facility in accordance with the application for the pulpwood agreement,

(d) require its holder to purchase, as provided in the pulpwood agreement,

(i) wood residue produced by timber processing facilities from timber harvested in the pulpwood area, and

(ii) pulp logs, as defined in the agreement, from the pulpwood area,

(e) grant to its holder the option to obtain from the regional manager or district manager, without advertising or competition from other applicants, forestry licences to cut authorizing the harvest from Crown land in the pulpwood area of a maximum annual volume of timber not exceeding the volume, and according to the terms, specified in the pulpwood agreement,

(f) require that its holder must not exercise an option under paragraph (e) without first complying with the requirement under paragraph (d), and

(g) include other terms and conditions, consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, determined by the minister.

(2) This section applies to a pulpwood agreement that

(a) is in effect after the coming into force of this section, and

(b) was entered into before that time.

Repealed

42   [Repealed 2003-31-29.]

Consolidation and subdivision of pulpwood agreements

43   (1) In this section, "minister" includes a person authorized by the minister.

(2) Subject to this section, the minister, by a method or combination of methods under subsection (5), may

(a) replace 2 or more pulpwood agreements held by the same person with one of those pulpwood agreements held by that person or a new pulpwood agreement held by that person, or

(b) amend a single pulpwood agreement held by a person and enter into one or more pulpwood agreements held by that person,

if the minister first receives the consent of the holder of the agreements or agreement.

(3) Subject to this section, the minister, by a method or combination of methods under subsection (5), must

(a) replace 2 or more pulpwood agreements held by the same person with one of those pulpwood agreements held by that person or a new pulpwood agreement held by that person, or

(b) amend a single pulpwood agreement held by a person and enter into one or more pulpwood agreements held by that person,

if the holder requests the replacement or amendment by written request delivered to the minister.

(4) The minister may refuse to replace or amend, under subsection (3), one or more pulpwood agreements if the minister considers that the replacement or amendment would compromise forest management.

(5) For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3), the methods are as follows:

(a) deleting all or part of the area from a pulpwood agreement and adding the deleted area to the area of another pulpwood agreement;

(b) cancelling a pulpwood agreement if the area covered by the agreement has been added to the area in another pulpwood agreement;

(c) amending a pulpwood agreement;

(d) entering into one or more pulpwood agreements covering the same land as was covered in the agreement being replaced.

(6) Despite section 41 (a) a pulpwood agreement that is amended or entered into under this section must not expire later than the earliest expiry date of the pulpwood agreements it replaces or amends.

Division 7.1 — Community Forest Agreements

Repealed

43.1   [Repealed 2009-8-5.]

Applications for community forest agreements

43.2   (1) On request or on his or her own initiative the minister, by advertising in the prescribed manner, may invite applications for a community forest agreement.

(2) An application for a community forest agreement must meet prescribed requirements.

(3) A community forest agreement may be entered into only with an applicant that is

(a) a first nation,

(b) a municipality or regional district, or

(c) any of the following if prescribed requirements are met:

(i) a society as defined in the Societies Act;

(ii) an association as defined in the Cooperative Association Act;

(iii) a corporation;

(iv) a partnership.

(4) The minister must evaluate applications for a community forest agreement in accordance with prescribed requirements.

(5) After evaluating applications under subsection (4), the minister may

(a) approve an application,

(b) approve an application subject to conditions with which the applicant must comply before the community forest agreement is entered into, or

(c) decline to approve all applications.

(6) If an applicant whose application is approved under subsection (5) does not enter into the community forest agreement, the minister may

(a) approve the next best application,

(b) approve the next best application subject to conditions with which the applicant must comply before the community forest agreement is entered into, or

(c) refuse to approve any of the applications.

(7) Subject to subsection (8), the minister must enter into a community forest agreement with every applicant whose application is approved under subsection (5) or (6).

(8) The minister must not enter into a community forest agreement until a management plan is approved by the minister for the proposed community forest agreement area.

(9) The minister may reserve from disposition under this Act the timber in the area described in the advertising, pending

(a) a community forest agreement being entered into under this section, or

(b) a refusal under subsection (6) to approve any of the applications.

Content of community forest agreement

43.3   (1) A community forest agreement

(a) must be for a term of not less than 25 years and not more than 99 years,

(b) must describe a community forest agreement area, determined by the minister or a person authorized by the minister, comprising Crown land and, if the area so determined includes land that is

(i) in a reserve as defined in the Indian Act (Canada), or

(ii) private land

also comprising that land,

(c) subject to this Act and the agreement,

(i) must give to its holder the exclusive right to harvest timber on the Crown land referred to in paragraph (b), for the term of the agreement, and

(ii) may give to its holder the right to harvest, manage and charge fees for botanical forest products and other prescribed products,

(d) must require its holder to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act,

(i) stumpage under Part 7 in respect of Crown timber, and

(ii) waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the community forest agreement, but, at the holder's discretion, is not cut and removed,

(e) must provide for cutting permits with terms that do not exceed 4 years to be issued by the district manager, or a forest officer authorized by the district manager, within the limits provided in the community forest agreement and subject to this Act and the Forest and Range Practices Act, to authorize its holder to harvest the allowable annual cut available to its holder from specified areas of land within the community forest agreement area,

(f) must require its holder to

(i) submit for the approval of the minister, at the times specified in the agreement, a management plan that meets the requirements of the community forest agreement, and

(ii) implement management plans approved by the minister,

(f.1) may include one or more provisions of Division 3.1 of Part 4 with any variations necessary or desirable to adapt the provision or provisions for the purposes of the agreement,

(g) must require its holder, in accordance with the community forest agreement, to

(i) carry out audits and make and submit reports concerning the holder's performance under the agreement, and

(ii) make information available to the public and carry out consultation activities with the public concerning matters relating to the community forest agreement,

(g.1) that is entered into with a first nation or its representative to implement or further an agreement, the "other agreement", between the first nation and the government respecting treaty-related measures, interim measures or economic measures, must state that it is a condition of the community forest agreement that the first nation comply with the other agreement,

(g.2) may require that a specified amount of timber on Crown land within the community forest agreement area is to be reserved and available for disposition, to persons other than the holder of the community forest agreement, under

(i) timber sale licences, or

(ii) forestry licences to cut under section 47.6 (3),

(g.3) may require that the amount of timber on Crown land within the community forest agreement area that is available to the holder of the community forest agreement be reduced by a specified amount of timber for a specified period of time for the purpose of entering into one or more BCTS licences, respecting all or part of the specified amount of timber, with one or more persons other than the holder of the community forest agreement, and

(h) may include other terms and conditions that the minister determines are consistent with any proposal made in the application for the community forest agreement, this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts.

(2) A reservation referred to in subsection (1) (g.2) must not be included in the following:

(a) a community forest agreement entered into before the date this subsection comes into force, unless

(i) the community forest agreement already includes the reservation, or

(ii) the holder of the community forest agreement agrees to include the reservation;

(b) a replacement for a replaceable community forest agreement, unless paragraph (a) (i) or (ii) of this subsection applies in relation to the replaceable community forest agreement.

(3) A requirement described in subsection (1) (g.3) must not be included in the following:

(a) a community forest agreement entered into before the date this subsection comes into force, unless the holder of the community forest agreement agrees to include the requirement;

(b) a replacement for a replaceable community forest agreement, unless

(i) the community forest agreement already includes the requirement, or

(ii) the holder of the community forest agreement agrees to include the requirement.

Replacement of community forest agreements

43.4   (1) to (3) [Repealed 2009-8-9.]

(4) Unless a community forest agreement provides that a replacement for the community forest agreement must not be offered, the minister, during the 6 month period following the ninth anniversary of an existing community forest agreement, must offer the holder a replacement community forest agreement.

(5) A community forest agreement offered under subsection (4) must

(a) be for a term of not less than 25 years and not more than 99 years, commencing on the tenth anniversary of the existing community forest agreement,

(b) describe as a community forest agreement area the area subject to the existing community forest agreement and any change to the boundary or area made by the minister under subsection (6), and

(c) include other terms and conditions that are set out in the offer and are consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts.

(6) In accordance with the regulations, and with the consent of the person to whom a community forest agreement is offered under this section, the minister may change the boundary or area in the offered community forest agreement from the boundary or area of the existing community forest agreement.

(7) Notice of an offer made under this section to replace a community forest agreement must be published in the prescribed manner.

(8) An offer made under this section may be

(a) amended, and

(b) accepted by written notice to the minister, not later than 3 months after the offer is served.

(9) If an offer made under this section is accepted

(a) a community forest agreement containing the terms and conditions set out in the offer, including amendments, must be entered into by the minister and the holder of the community forest agreement, and

(b) the existing community forest agreement expires on the commencement of the replacement agreement.

(10) A community forest agreement is not renewable.

Transition for community forest pilot agreements and probationary community forest agreements

43.41   (1) On the coming into force of this section, the holder of an existing

(a) community forest pilot agreement entered into under section 43.5 as it read immediately before September 17, 2004, or

(b) probationary community forest agreement entered into under section 43.51 as it read immediately before March 31, 2009,

may, in accordance with section 43.3 (1), enter into a community forest agreement with the minister, except that the community forest agreement

(c) must have a term of 25 years,

(d) must specify an allowable annual cut that is the same as the allowable annual cut of the community forest pilot agreement or probationary community forest agreement, as the case may be,

(d.1) must not include a reservation referred to in section 43.3 (1) (g.2), and

(e) must include other terms and conditions that are substantially the same as in the community forest pilot agreement or probationary community forest agreement, as the case may be, except for terms and conditions referred to in section 43.3 (1) (f.1), which may, in the community forest agreement, be substantially different from those terms and conditions in the community forest pilot agreement or probationary community forest agreement.

(2) A community forest pilot agreement or probationary community forest agreement to which subsection (1) (a) or (b) applies is deemed to be surrendered on the date the community forest agreement is entered into under subsection (1).

Repealed

43.5   [Repealed 2009-8-11.]

Direct award of community forest agreements

43.51   (0.1) In this section, "representative" means a person or other legal entity that

(a) is appointed by a first nation as its representative, and

(b) meets prescribed requirements.

(1) The minister may enter into a community forest agreement

(a) with a first nation or its representative to implement or further an agreement between the first nation and the government respecting treaty-related measures, interim measures or economic measures, or

(b) under prescribed circumstances or with a holder that meets prescribed requirements.

(2) [Repealed 2010-12-11.]

(2.1) After a community forest agreement has been entered into under subsection (1) with a first nation or its representative, the minister may, if it furthers the objectives set out in subsection (1) (a), and with the consent of the holder of the community forest agreement, increase the area covered by the community forest agreement.

(3) Section 43.2 does not apply to a community forest agreement entered into under this section.

Change in area or boundary

43.52   In accordance with the regulations, and with the consent of the holder of the agreement, the minister may change the boundary or increase the area of a community forest agreement.

Transition for community forest agreement allowable annual cut

43.53   For a community forest agreement for which an allowable annual cut has not been determined under section 8, a reference in this Act or the regulations to an allowable annual cut authorized for a community forest agreement must be read as a reference to the rate of timber harvesting for each community forest agreement area as determined under section 8.

Division 7.11 — First Nations Woodland Licences

Award of first nations woodland licence

43.54   (1) In this section, "representative" means a person or other legal entity that

(a) is appointed by a first nation as its representative, and

(b) meets prescribed requirements.

(2) The minister may enter into a first nations woodland licence with a first nation or its representative to implement or further an agreement between the first nation and the government respecting treaty-related measures, interim measures or economic measures.

(3) After a first nations woodland licence has been entered into under subsection (2), the minister may, if it furthers the objectives set out in subsection (2), and with the consent of the holder of the licence, increase the area covered by the licence.

(4) The minister must not enter into a first nations woodland licence under subsection (2) until

(a) a management plan is approved by the minister for the proposed first nations woodland licence area, and

(b) if required under the agreement between the first nation and the government referred to in subsection (2) of this section, one or more agreements referred to in section 12 are surrendered.

Content of first nations woodland licence

43.55   (1) A first nations woodland licence

(a) must be for a term of not less than 25 years and not more than 99 years,

(b) must describe a first nations woodland licence area, determined by the minister, comprising Crown land and, if the area so determined includes land that is

(i) in a reserve as defined in the Indian Act (Canada), or

(ii) private land,

also comprising that land,

(c) subject to this Act and the licence,

(i) must give to its holder the exclusive right to harvest timber on the Crown land referred to in paragraph (b), for the term of the agreement, and

(ii) may give to its holder the right to harvest, manage and charge fees for botanical forest products and other prescribed products,

(d) must require its holder to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act,

(i) stumpage under Part 7 in respect of Crown timber, and

(ii) waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the licence, but, at the holder's discretion, is not cut and removed,

(e) must provide for cutting permits with terms that do not exceed 4 years to be issued by the district manager, or a forest officer authorized by the district manager, within the limits provided in the licence and subject to this Act and the Forest and Range Practices Act, to authorize its holder to harvest the allowable annual cut available to its holder from specified areas of Crown land within the first nations woodland licence area,

(f) must require its holder to

(i) submit for the approval of the minister, at the times specified in the licence, a management plan that meets the requirements of the licence, and

(ii) implement management plans approved by the minister,

(g) may include one or more provisions of Division 3.1 of Part 4 with any variations necessary or desirable to adapt the provision or provisions

(i) for the purposes of the licence, or

(ii) to take into account the effect of a surrender of an agreement referred to in section 43.54 (4) (b),

(h) must state that it is a condition of the licence that the first nation comply with the agreement between the first nation and the government referred to in section 43.54 (2),

(h.1) may require that a specified amount of timber on Crown land within the first nations woodland licence area is to be reserved and available for disposition, to persons other than the holder of the first nations woodland licence, under

(i) timber sale licences, or

(ii) forestry licences to cut under section 47.6 (3),

(h.2) may require that the amount of timber on Crown land within the first nations woodland licence area that is available to the holder of the first nations woodland licence be reduced by a specified amount of timber for a specified period of time for the purpose of entering into one or more BCTS licences, respecting all or part of the specified amount of timber, with one or more persons other than the holder of the first nations woodland licence, and

(i) may include other terms and conditions, consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, determined by the minister.

(2) A reservation referred to in subsection (1) (h.1) must not be included in the following:

(a) a first nations woodland licence entered into before the date this subsection comes into force, unless the holder of the first nations woodland licence agrees to include the reservation;

(b) a replacement for a replaceable first nations woodland licence entered into before the date this subsection comes into force, unless the holder of the replaceable first nations woodland licence agrees to include the reservation.

(3) A requirement described in subsection (1) (h.2) must not be included in the following:

(a) a first nations woodland licence entered into before the date this subsection comes into force, unless the holder of the first nations woodland licence agrees to include the requirement;

(b) a replacement for a replaceable first nations woodland licence, unless

(i) the first nations woodland licence already includes the requirement, or

(ii) the holder of the first nations woodland licence agrees to include the requirement.

Replacement of first nations woodland licences

43.56   (1) Unless a first nations woodland licence provides that a replacement for the first nations woodland licence must not be offered, the minister, during the 6 month period following the ninth anniversary of an existing first nations woodland licence, must offer the holder a replacement first nations woodland licence.

(2) A first nations woodland licence offered under subsection (1) must

(a) be for a term of not less than 25 years and not more than 99 years, commencing on the tenth anniversary of the existing licence,

(b) describe, as a first nations woodland licence area, the area subject to the existing licence and any change to the boundary or area made by the minister under subsection (3), and

(c) include other terms and conditions that are set out in the offer and are consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts.

(3) In accordance with the regulations, and with the consent of the person to whom a first nations woodland licence is offered under this section, the minister may change the boundary or area in the offered first nations woodland licence from the boundary or area of the existing first nations woodland licence.

(4) An offer made under this section may be

(a) amended, and

(b) accepted by written notice to the minister not later than 3 months after the offer is served.

(5) If an offer made under this section is accepted,

(a) a first nations woodland licence containing the terms and conditions set out in the offer, including amendments, must be entered into by the minister and the holder of the first nations woodland licence, and

(b) the existing first nations woodland licence expires on the commencement of the replacement licence.

(6) A first nations woodland licence is not renewable.

Change in area or boundary

43.57   In accordance with the regulations and with the consent of the holder of the licence, the minister may change the boundary or area of a first nations woodland licence.

Division 7.2 — Repealed

Repealed

43.6-43.8   [Repealed 2021-38-26.]

Division 8 — Woodlot Licences

Applications

44   (1) In this section:

"affiliate" has the same meaning as in section 53;

"control", in relation to a corporation, has the same meaning as "control of a corporation" in section 53;

"ineligible licence" means a licence that

(a) is one of the following:

(i) a timber sale licence, if the timber sale licence is also a major licence;

(ii) a forest licence, other than a forest licence entered into under section 47.3 (1);

(iii) a tree farm licence;

(iv) a forestry licence to cut, other than a forestry licence to cut entered into under section 47.3 (1), and

(b) is either

(i) replaceable, or

(ii) non-replaceable, with an original term greater than 5 years.

(2) On request or on his or her own initiative the minister, by advertising in the prescribed manner, may invite applications for a woodlot licence.

(3) An application for a woodlot licence must

(a) be made to a person designated by the minister, and

(b) meet prescribed requirements.

(4) Subject to subsections (5) and (5.1), a woodlot licence may be entered into only with an applicant that is

(a) a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada who is 19 years of age or older,

(b) a first nation, or

(c) a corporation, other than a society, that is controlled by persons who meet the qualifications referred to in paragraph (a).

(5) A woodlot licence may not be entered into with an applicant that is not a corporation if any of the following apply:

(a) the applicant holds 2 or more woodlot licences;

(b) the applicant controls a corporation that holds 2 or more woodlot licences;

(c) the applicant holds a woodlot licence and controls a corporation that holds a woodlot licence;

(d) the applicant controls a corporation that holds a woodlot licence and the corporation is affiliated with another corporation that holds a woodlot licence;

(e) the applicant holds

(i) an ineligible licence that has an allowable annual cut that is greater than 10 000 m3, or

(ii) 2 or more ineligible licences that together have an aggregate allowable annual cut that is greater than 10 000 m3;

(f) the applicant controls a corporation that holds

(i) an ineligible licence described in paragraph (e) (i), or

(ii) 2 or more ineligible licences described in paragraph (e) (ii);

(g) the applicant holds an ineligible licence and controls a corporation that holds an ineligible licence and those ineligible licences together have an aggregate allowable annual cut that is greater than 10 000 m3;

(h) the applicant controls a corporation that holds an ineligible licence and the corporation is affiliated with another corporation that holds an ineligible licence and those ineligible licences together have an aggregate allowable annual cut that is greater than 10 000 m3.

(5.1) A woodlot licence may not be entered into with an applicant that is a corporation if any of the following apply:

(a) the applicant holds 2 or more woodlot licences;

(b) the applicant is affiliated with another corporation that holds 2 or more woodlot licences;

(c) the applicant holds a woodlot licence and is affiliated with another corporation that holds a woodlot licence;

(d) the applicant holds

(i) an ineligible licence that has an allowable annual cut that is greater than 10 000 m3, or

(ii) 2 or more ineligible licences that together have an aggregate allowable annual cut that is greater than 10 000 m3;

(e) the applicant is affiliated with another corporation that holds

(i) an ineligible licence described in paragraph (d) (i), or

(ii) 2 or more ineligible licences described in paragraph (d) (ii);

(f) the applicant holds an ineligible licence and is affiliated with another corporation that holds an ineligible licence and those ineligible licences together have an aggregate allowable annual cut that is greater than 10 000 m3.

(6) The minister must evaluate applications for a woodlot licence in accordance with prescribed requirements.

(7) After evaluating applications under subsection (6), the person who evaluated the applications may

(a) approve an application, or

(b) decline to approve all applications.

(8) If an applicant whose application is approved under subsection (7) neglects or declines to enter into the woodlot licence or becomes ineligible to enter into the licence, the minister may

(a) approve the next best application, or

(b) refuse to approve any of the applications.

(9) Subject to subsection (10), the minister must enter into a woodlot licence with every person whose application is approved under subsection (7) or (8).

(10) The minister must not enter into a woodlot licence until a management plan is approved by the government for the proposed woodlot licence area.

(11) The minister may reserve from disposition under this Act the timber in the area described in the advertising, pending

(a) a woodlot licence being entered into under this section, or

(b) a refusal under subsection (8) to approve any of the applications.

Content of woodlot licence

45   (1) A woodlot licence must

(a) be for a term not exceeding 20 years,

(b) describe a woodlot licence area determined by the minister to be composed of

(i) private land owned or held under lease by its holder or a reserve as defined in the Indian Act (Canada), if so determined by the minister, and

(ii) Crown land, the timber on which is not otherwise encumbered, of not more than

(A) 800 ha if the Crown land is located in the Coast Forest Region, or

(B) 1 200 ha if the Crown land is not located in the Coast Forest Region,

(c) subject to the provisions of this Act, give to its holder the exclusive right to harvest timber on the Crown land referred to in paragraph (b), for its term,

(d) require its holder to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act,

(i) stumpage under Part 7 in respect of Crown timber,

(ii) waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the woodlot licence, but, at the holder's discretion, is not cut and removed, and

(iii) a bonus, if any, in the amount tendered,

(e) provide for cutting permits with terms that do not exceed 4 years to be issued by the district manager, or a forest officer authorized by the district manager, within the limits provided in the woodlot licence and subject to this Act and the Forest and Range Practices Act, to authorize its holder to harvest timber from specified areas of land within the woodlot licence area,

(f) require its holder to submit for the approval of the minister, at the times specified by the minister, a management plan that meets all the following requirements:

(i) it is prepared in accordance with the requirements of the woodlot licence;

(ii) it includes inventories, prepared in the manner, presented in the format and meeting the specifications required under the woodlot licence, of the timber resources within the woodlot licence area;

(iii) it is consistent with

(A) the woodlot licence,

(B) this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, and

(C) any applicable objectives set by government;

(iv) it proposes management objectives, in accordance with the woodlot licence, regarding

(A) utilization of the timber resources in the woodlot licence area,

(B) protection and conservation of the non-timber values and resources in the woodlot licence area,

(C) forest fire prevention and suppression,

(D) forest health, including pest management,

(E) silviculture, and

(F) road construction, maintenance and deactivation;

(v) it includes proposals, in accordance with the woodlot licence, for meeting the proposed management objectives under subparagraph (iv), including measures to be taken and specifications to be followed by the holder of the woodlot licence;

(vi) it proposes an allowable annual cut for the woodlot licence area;

(vii) it includes any other inventories and information regarding the development, management and use of the woodlot licence area that the minister, in accordance with the woodlot licence, requires,

(f.1) if the licence is entered into with a first nation or its representative to implement or further an agreement between the first nation and the government respecting treaty-related measures, interim measures or economic measures, state that it is a condition of the licence that the first nation comply with the agreement,

(f.2) may require that the amount of timber on Crown land within the woodlot licence area that is available to the holder of the woodlot licence be reduced by a specified amount of timber for a specified period of time for the purpose of entering into one or more BCTS licences, respecting all or part of the specified amount of timber, with one or more persons other than the holder of the woodlot licence, and

(g) include other terms and conditions, consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, determined by the minister.

(2) Despite subsection (1), the Crown land portion of a woodlot licence may exceed the limits specified in subsection (1) (b) (ii) (A) or (B) if

(a) the woodlot licence was entered into before January 1, 2003, and

(b) the excess Crown land was included in the woodlot licence as a result of mapping inaccuracies.

(3) A requirement described in subsection (1) (f.2) must not be included in the following:

(a) a woodlot licence entered into before the date this subsection comes into force, unless the holder of the woodlot licence agrees to include the requirement;

(b) a replacement for a woodlot licence under section 46 or 46.2, unless

(i) the woodlot licence that is replaced already includes the requirement, or

(ii) the holder of the woodlot licence that replaces a woodlot licence agrees to include the requirement.

Transition for woodlot licence allowable annual cut

45.1   For a woodlot licence for which an allowable annual cut has not been determined under section 8, a reference in this Act or the regulations to an allowable annual cut authorized for a woodlot licence must be read as a reference to the volume of timber to be harvested from each woodlot licence area during each year or other period of the term of the woodlot licence as determined under section 8.

Replacement

46   (1) Unless a woodlot licence provides that a replacement for the woodlot licence must not be offered, the minister, during the 6 month period following the ninth anniversary of an existing woodlot licence, must offer its holder a replacement for the woodlot licence.

(2) Despite subsection (1), if the minister determines that

(a) rights under the existing woodlot licence are under suspension, or

(b) the holder of the existing woodlot licence has failed to

(i) pay stumpage or other money payable in respect of timber harvested under the woodlot licence or a road permit associated with the woodlot licence,

(ii) provide security or a deposit required under this Act or the Forest and Range Practices Act in respect of the woodlot licence or a road permit associated with the woodlot licence,

(iii) perform an obligation under the woodlot licence to be performed by the holder in respect of an area of land specified in

(A) a cutting permit previously issued under the woodlot licence, or

(B) a road permit associated with the woodlot licence, or

(iv) comply with a requirement under this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act or the Wildfire Act in respect of an area of land referred to in subparagraph (iii),

the minister, to the extent provided in the regulations,

(c) may decline to offer a replacement for the existing woodlot licence until

(i) the suspension is rescinded,

(ii) the suspended rights are reinstated, or

(iii) the holder of the existing woodlot licence

(A) pays the stumpage or other money payable,

(B) provides the required security or deposit,

(C) performs the obligation to be performed under the existing woodlot licence in respect of land referred to in paragraph (b) (iii), or

(D) complies with the requirement under this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act or the Wildfire Act in respect of land referred to in paragraph (b) (iii), and

(d) may offer a replacement with special conditions.

(3) A woodlot licence offered under this section must

(a) have a term commencing

(i) on the 10th anniversary of the existing woodlot licence, or

(ii) if the minister exercises the power conferred under subsection (2) (c), on a date to be determined by the minister,

(b) be for a term equal to

(i) the whole original term of the existing woodlot licence, or

(ii) if the minister exercises the power conferred under subsection (2) (c), a period, not exceeding the original term of the existing woodlot licence, to be determined by the minister,

(c) describe as a woodlot licence area the area subject to the existing woodlot licence, and

(d) include other terms and conditions, consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, set out in the offer.

(4) [Repealed 1999-10-5.]

(5) Notice of an offer made under this section must be published in the prescribed manner.

(6) An offer made under this section

(a) may be amended, and

(b) may be accepted by written notice to a person designated by the minister not later than 3 months after the offer is served.

(7) If an offer made under this section is accepted

(a) a woodlot licence containing the terms and conditions set out in the offer, including amendments, must be entered into by the minister and the holder of the woodlot licence, and

(b) the existing woodlot licence expires on the commencement of the replacement licence.

(8) If an offer made under this section is not accepted, the existing woodlot licence continues in force until its term expires, after which it has no further effect.

(9) No woodlot licence is renewable.

Repealed

46.1   [Repealed 2007-18-22.]

Consolidation of woodlot licences

46.2   (1) Subject to this section, the minister, by a method or combination of methods under subsection (2), may replace 2 woodlot licences held by the same person with one of those woodlot licences held by that person or a new woodlot licence held by that person, if the minister first receives the consent of the holder of the licences.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the methods are as follows:

(a) deleting all or part of the licence area from a woodlot licence and adding the deleted area to the licence area of another woodlot licence;

(b) cancelling a woodlot licence if all or part of the area covered by the licence has been added to the licence area in another woodlot licence;

(c) amending a woodlot licence;

(d) entering into a woodlot licence covering all or part of the same area as was covered in the licences being replaced;

(e) subject to subsection (3), specifying the allowable annual cuts that will apply to areas covered by the woodlot licences amended or entered into under this subsection.

(3) In making a replacement referred to in subsection (1), the minister must ensure that

(a) the allowable annual cut of the amended or new woodlot licence does not exceed the total of the allowable annual cuts of the replaced woodlot licences as they were immediately before the replacement, and

(b) after the replacement, the Crown land in the amended or new woodlot licence area does not exceed the limits set in section 45 (1) (b) (ii).

(4) A woodlot licence as described in paragraph (a.1) of the definition of "licence" in section 75.4 (1) may not be replaced under subsection (1) of this section except with a woodlot licence that is also a woodlot licence as described in paragraph (a.1) of the definition of "licence" in section 75.4 (1).

(5) A replaceable woodlot licence may not be replaced under subsection (1) except with a woodlot licence that is also replaceable.

(6) A woodlot licence that provides that a replacement for the woodlot licence must not be offered may not be replaced under subsection (1) except with a woodlot licence that also provides that a replacement for it must not be offered.

(7) Despite section 45 (1) (a), a woodlot licence that is amended or entered into under this section must not expire later than the earliest expiry date of the woodlot licence it replaces.

Repealed

47   [Repealed RS1996-157-47 (2).]

Change in area or boundary

47.1   (1) In accordance with the regulations, if any, and with the consent of the holder of the woodlot licence, the minister may change the boundary or area of a woodlot licence.

(2) The discretion of the minister under subsection (1)

(a) is subject to section 45 (1) (b) (ii), and

(b) includes the discretion to change the boundary or area of the woodlot licence with the consent of its holder by

(i) adding private land owned or leased by the holder to the woodlot licence area, or

(ii) removing private land from the woodlot licence area.

Repealed

47.2   [Repealed RS1996-157-47.2 (4).]

Division 8.1 — Direct Awards

Direct award of specified licences

47.3   (0.1) In this section, "representative" means a person or other legal entity that

(a) is appointed by a first nation as its representative, and

(b) meets prescribed requirements.

(1) The minister may enter into a forest licence, woodlot licence, forestry licence to cut or fibre supply licence to cut with

(a) a first nation or its representative to implement or further an agreement between the first nation and the government respecting treaty-related measures, interim measures or economic measures,

(b) a person to mitigate the effects on that person of

(i) a treaty,

(ii) a specification of a designated area under Part 13, or

(iii) an agreement between a first nation and the government respecting treaty-related measures, interim measures or economic measures, or

(c) the applicant of an eligible bioenergy application approved under section 13.1 (3), if the licence is a fibre supply licence to cut and, in the opinion of the minister, Crown timber is required for the purpose of

(i) achieving the commercial operation date as set out in the bioenergy supply contract associated with the application, or

(ii) supplying Crown timber to the power plant described in the bioenergy supply contract associated with the application until timber is obtained under the forest licence entered into under section 13.1 (5).

(2) [Repealed 2010-12-15.]

(3) After a licence has been entered into under subsection (1) with a first nation or its representative, the minister may, if it furthers the objectives set out in subsection (1) (a), and with the consent of the holder of the licence, do one or both of the following:

(a) increase

(i) the allowable annual cut or the maximum harvestable volume, or both, specified in the licence, if the licence is a forest licence,

(ii) [Repealed 2021-38-27.]

(iii) the maximum harvestable volume, if the licence is a forestry licence to cut,

(iv) the area covered by the licence if the licence is a forestry licence to cut, or

(v) subject to section 45 (1) (b) (ii), the area covered by the licence if the licence is a woodlot licence;

(b) extend the term of the licence, if the licence is a forest licence, forestry licence to cut or fibre supply licence to cut.

(4) The extension of the term of a licence under subsection (3) (b) must not result in the total term of the licence exceeding

(a) 10 years, if the licence is a forestry licence to cut or fibre supply licence to cut, or

(b) 20 years, if the licence is a forest licence.

(5) Despite section 47.72 (1) (a), after a fibre supply licence to cut has been entered into under subsection (1) (c) of this section, the minister may, if it furthers the objectives set out in subsection (1) (c) (i) or (ii), and with the consent of the holder of the licence to cut, extend the term of that licence to cut.

(6) The extension under subsection (5) of the term of a fibre supply licence to cut must not result in the total term of the licence to cut exceeding 10 years.

Division 8.2 — Licences to Cut

Licence to cut for persons occupying land or for energy resource purposes

47.4   (1) [Repealed 2008-20-17.]

(2) The minister may enter into

(a) an occupant licence to cut with an owner or occupier of land, authorizing the person to cut Crown timber on the land, remove Crown timber from the land or do both, or

(b) a master licence to cut with any person, authorizing the harvesting of timber, under a cutting permit referred to in section 47.5 (2) (c) in all or part of a forest district

(i) for one or more of the following purposes:

(A) an energy resource activity under the Energy Resource Activities Act;

(B) [Repealed 2008-36-125.]

(C) roads associated with an activity referred to in clause (A), or

(ii) to authorize the person to harvest timber for prescribed purposes or in prescribed circumstances.

Content of occupant and master licences to cut

47.5   (1) An occupant licence to cut

(a) must require its holder, if it authorizes its holder to both cut and remove Crown timber, to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act,

(i) stumpage under Part 7, and

(ii) waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the occupant licence to cut, but, at the holder's discretion, is not cut and removed, and

(b) may include other terms and conditions that

(i) are determined by the minister, and

(ii) are consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts.

(2) A master licence to cut

(a) must be for a term not exceeding 10 years,

(b) must require its holder to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act,

(i) stumpage under Part 7, and

(ii) waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the master licence to cut, but, at its holder's discretion, is not cut and removed,

(c) must provide for cutting permits to be issued by the district manager, or a forest officer authorized by the district manager, within the limits provided in the master licence to cut and subject to this Act and the Forest and Range Practices Act or the Energy Resource Activities Act, as applicable, to authorize its holder to harvest Crown timber from specified areas within the area or areas of Crown land specified in the licence to cut, and

(d) may include other terms and conditions that

(i) are determined by the minister, and

(ii) are consistent with this Act and the Wildfire Act and with the applicable of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Energy Resource Activities Act.

(3) The district manager or the forest officer authorized by the district manager must not issue to the holder of a master licence to cut a cutting permit for an area described in subsection (2) (c) unless

(a) the holder

(i) has written authority from the government, or

(ii) is authorized under an enactment

to occupy that area, or

(b) the cutting permit will facilitate harvesting for the purposes or circumstances referred to in section 47.4 (2) (b) (ii).

(4) If a master licence to cut expires and the minister enters into a new master licence to cut with the same holder, a cutting permit issued under the expired master licence to cut must be assigned to the new master licence to cut if

(a) the holder consents to the assignment,

(b) the areas of land specified in the cutting permit are within the area or areas of Crown land specified in the new master licence to cut, and

(c) no changes are made to the cutting permit, other than the assignment of that permit to the new master licence to cut.

Forestry licence to cut

47.6   (1) [Repealed 2008-20-18.]

(2) The minister may enter into a forestry licence to cut

(a) [Repealed 2008-20-18.]

(b) in which the volume of timber specified does not exceed 500 m3 and the timber, in the opinion of the regional manager or district manager, is to be harvested under controlled scientific or investigative conditions,

(b.1) specifying a volume of timber that does not exceed 50 m3,

(b.2) to authorize only the removal of Crown timber from Crown land or private land,

(c) if authorized to do so under another provision of this Act, or

(d) to authorize the harvesting of timber for prescribed purposes or in prescribed circumstances.

(2.1) [Repealed 2011-13-57.]

(2.11) The minister may enter into a forestry licence to cut if

(a) the forestry licence to cut authorizes its holder, in specified areas within the area or areas of Crown land identified in the forestry licence to cut, to do any of the following:

(i) remove Crown timber;

(ii) process felled Crown timber into chips or other products and remove those products, and

(b) the minister has received notification under section 79.1.

(2.2) [Repealed 2011-13-57.]

(3) The timber sales manager may enter into a forestry licence to cut with a person, authorizing the person to cut Crown timber on Crown land, remove Crown timber from Crown land or do both, if

(a) the person is contracted by the government to carry out an activity funded out of the BC Timber Sales Account, and

(b) the timber sales manager considers it desirable to

(i) cut, or

(ii) cut and remove

timber from the contract area in conjunction with the contract.

(4) The minister may enter into a forestry licence to cut if

(a) harvesting under the forestry licence to cut is restricted to timber that, in the opinion of the regional manager or district manager, is required to be cut and removed in order to reduce the spread of an insect infestation, and

(b) the harvesting of the timber is in conjunction with a competitively awarded forest health project that is consistent with a government approved bark beetle management strategy for the management unit in which the harvesting is to take place.

(4.1) The minister may enter into a forestry licence to cut with the applicant of an eligible bioenergy application approved under section 13.1 (3) on or after the date the application is approved if, in the opinion of the minister, Crown timber is required for the purpose of

(a) achieving the commercial operation date as set out in the bioenergy supply contract associated with the application, or

(b) supplying Crown timber to the power plant described in the bioenergy supply contract associated with the application until timber is obtained under the forest licence entered into under section 13.1 (5).

(5) [Repealed 2011-13-57.]

Content of forestry licence to cut

47.7   A forestry licence to cut

(a) must be for a term not exceeding 5 years,

(b) must describe one or more areas of land and identify for each area whether the holder may do one or more of the following:

(i) harvest Crown timber;

(ii) cut Crown timber;

(iii) remove Crown timber;

(iv) process Crown timber and remove the processed timber,

(c) may specify a volume of timber that may be harvested from an area of land described in the forestry licence to cut,

(d) may specify that the forestry licence to cut is a major licence,

(e) may provide for cutting permits, which, if the forestry licence to cut is a major licence, must have terms that do not exceed 4 years, to be issued by the district manager, or a forest officer authorized by the district manager, within the limits provided in the licence to cut and, subject to this Act, to authorize its holder to harvest Crown timber from specified areas of land within the area or areas of land described in the forestry licence to cut,

(f) must require its holder, if it authorizes its holder to remove Crown timber, to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act,

(i) stumpage under Part 7, and

(ii) waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the forestry licence to cut other than a forestry licence to cut issued under section 47.6 (2.11), but, at the holder's discretion, is not removed,

(g) that is entered into with a first nation or its representative to implement or further an agreement between the first nation and the government respecting treaty-related measures, interim measures or economic measures, must state that it is a condition of the forestry licence to cut that the first nation comply with the agreement,

(g.1) may include provisions

(i) specifying standards and programs established by one or more standard making bodies,

(ii) requiring the holder of the licence to meet the standards and programs specified under subparagraph (i), and

(iii) specifying the manner in which the holder of the licence must conduct operations under the licence in order to meet the standards and programs specified under subparagraph (i), and

(h) may include other terms and conditions, consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, determined by the minister or timber sales manager.

Applications for fibre supply licence to cut

47.71   (1) On request or on his or her own initiative the minister, by advertising in the prescribed manner, may invite applications for a fibre supply licence to cut.

(2) An application for a fibre supply licence to cut must

(a) be made to a person designated by the minister, and

(b) meet prescribed requirements.

(3) The minister must evaluate applications for a fibre supply licence to cut in accordance with prescribed requirements.

(4) After evaluating applications under subsection (3), the minister may

(a) approve an application, or

(b) decline to approve all applications.

(5) If an applicant whose application is approved under subsection (4) neglects or declines to enter into the fibre supply licence to cut, the minister may

(a) approve the next best application, or

(b) refuse to approve any of the applications.

(6) The minister must enter into a fibre supply licence to cut with every person whose application is approved under subsection (4) or (5).

Content of a fibre supply licence to cut

47.72   (1) A fibre supply licence to cut

(a) must be for a term not exceeding 10 years,

(b) must require its holder to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act, stumpage under Part 7,

(c) must provide for fibre recovery permits to be issued by the district manager, or a forest officer authorized by the district manager, within the limits provided in the fibre supply licence to cut and subject to this Act and the Forest and Range Practices Act, to authorize its holder in specified areas within the area or areas of land identified in the fibre supply licence to cut to do any of the following:

(i) remove Crown timber;

(ii) process felled Crown timber into chips or other products and remove those products,

(d) may include provisions specifying one or more standard making bodies and requiring the holder of the fibre supply licence to cut to conduct its operations under the fibre supply licence to cut in accordance with principles, standards and criteria established by the standard making body or bodies,

(e) may include other terms and conditions, consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, determined by the minister, and

(f) may include other terms and conditions that the minister considers necessary or desirable respecting operations under the fibre supply licence to cut as they relate to the holder of an agreement listed in section 12 who is required to provide notification in accordance with section 79.1.

(2) The district manager or the forest officer authorized by the district manager must not issue to the holder of a fibre supply licence to cut a fibre recovery permit for an area described in subsection (1) (c) unless the district manager has received notification in accordance with section 79.1 for the specified areas referred to in subsection (1) (c) that are to be subject to the fibre recovery permit from the holder of an agreement listed in section 12 who is required to provide notification in accordance with section 79.1.

Volume deemed to be harvested under licence for cut control purposes

47.73   (1) Subject to subsection (2) and for the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in section 75.1 (1), the amount of timber that

(a) is merchantable Crown timber, and

(b) is removed under

(i) a forestry licence to cut entered into under section 47.6 (2.11), or

(ii) a fibre recovery permit issued under a fibre supply licence to cut

is deemed to be harvested under the agreement of the agreement holder who gave the notification in accordance with section 79.1.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the amount of timber removed or harvested under the forestry licence to cut or removed under the fibre recovery permit has already been attributed to the agreement referred to in subsection (1) for the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in section 75.1 (1).

Division 8.3 — Disposition of Timber Acquired under Forestry Revitalization Act or Subject to Waste Assessment

Disposition of timber in a tree farm licence

47.8   The minister may make available for disposition under

(a) Divisions 2 and 3 of Part 3,

(b) section 47.3 under a forest licence or forestry licence to cut, or

(c) section 47.6 (2) or (3),

to persons other than the holder of a tree farm licence for all or part of a tree farm licence area, portions of the allowable annual cut available that is the subject of

(d) a reduction in allowable annual cut under section 2 (3) of the Forestry Revitalization Act, and

(e) an attribution made under section 3 (2) of that Act by an order of the minister.

Disposition of timber not harvested or removed under an agreement

47.9   Timber that is not harvested or removed under an agreement listed in section 12 and in respect of which a notification must be given in accordance with section 79.1 may be the subject of

(a) a forestry licence to cut entered into under section 47.6 (2.11), or

(b) a fibre supply licence to cut.

Division 9 — Free Use Permits for First Nations and Others

Free use permit

48   (1) A free use permit must be entered into only with

(a) an occupier of land who requires Crown timber for developing the land for agricultural purposes,

(a.1) a person who requires a Christmas tree for their personal use and not for sale to others,

(b) a person who requires firewood for their personal domestic purposes and not for sale to others,

(c) a board of education that requires firewood for school purposes,

(d) a person who requires Crown timber for the purpose of scientific investigation,

(e) an owner of a Crown grant of a mineral claim, authorizing the use of Crown timber on land described in the grant in a mining operation conducted on that land,

(f) a holder of a coal licence issued under the Coal Act, or a holder of a mineral title under the Mineral Tenure Act not in production authorizing the holder to cut timber,

(g) a person who

(i) requires Crown timber for a traditional and cultural activity, within the meaning prescribed for the phrase "traditional and cultural activity", and

(ii) is not selling the timber to others, and

(h) a treaty first nation that has entered into an agreement with British Columbia, in accordance with its final agreement, for the harvesting of types of timber specified in the final agreement.

(2) Despite subsection (1), a free use permit must not be entered into with an applicant described in subsection (1) (a) to (f) and (h) if, on land the applicant owns or occupies, there is sufficient timber that is reasonably accessible for the purpose specified in the application.

(3) If a person who requires Crown timber under subsection (1) (g) wishes to harvest more than 50 m3 under the free use permit, the person must

(a) apply to a person designated by the minister, and

(b) include in the application the information required by the minister.

(4) Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to a treaty first nation referred to in subsection (1) (h) to the extent its application would be inconsistent with the final agreement or the agreement referred to in subsection (1) (h).

Issuance and content of free use permit

49   (1) The minister may enter into a free use permit with a person or treaty first nation qualified under section 48.

(2) A free use permit

(a) must be for a term not exceeding

(i) 1 year, if the permit is entered into with an applicant described in section 48 (1), other than an applicant described in paragraph (e) or (f) of that section, and

(ii) 5 years, if the permit is entered into with an applicant described in section 48 (1) (e) or (f),

(b) must give to its holder the right to harvest Crown timber from an area of land for the purposes specified in it,

(c) subject to subsection (2.1), must be limited to a volume not exceeding 50 m3,

(d) despite Part 4, Division 4, may be suspended or cancelled, or both, without notice by the minister if its holder fails to comply with its terms and conditions, this Act or the regulations,

(e) must not require its holder to pay stumpage for the timber cut, or to pay rent, and

(f) may contain terms and conditions, consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, determined by the minister.

(2.1) The minister, in prescribed circumstances, may enter into a free use permit authorized under section 48 (1) (g) for a volume exceeding 50 m3.

(2.2) Despite subsection (2), a free use permit entered into with a treaty first nation

(a) must be for a term not exceeding 5 years,

(b) must give the treaty first nation the right to harvest

(i) the type of timber specified in the final agreement from an area of Crown land for the purposes specified in that final agreement, and

(ii) the amount of timber specified in the agreement referred to in section 48 (1) (h) for each year of the term,

(c) may contain terms and conditions, consistent with

(i) this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts,

(ii) the final agreement of the treaty first nation, and

(iii) the agreement referred to in section 48 (1) (h),

determined by the minister, and

(d) is subject to subsection (2) (d) and (e).

(3) The person or treaty first nation

(a) in respect of which a decision is made under subsection (2) or (2.2) (d), or

(b) in respect of which a decision is made under subsection (2) or (2.2) (d) relating to the free use permit to which the person or treaty first nation is a party,

may require a review of the decision by a person authorized by the minister and the decision of the authorized person is final and binding.

(4) Only sections 143 (2), 144 and 145 apply to a review under subsection (3).

Free use permit in area subject to area-based licence

49.1   (1) In this section and despite the definition of "area-based licence" in section 1 (1), "area-based licence" means a community forest agreement, a first nations woodland licence or a woodlot licence.

(2) With the consent of the holder of an area-based licence, the minister may enter into a free use permit authorizing the holder of the permit to harvest timber from Crown land within the area subject to the area-based licence.

(3) Despite sections 48 (1) and 49 (1), the minister may enter into a free use permit under this section only with an applicant described in section 48 (1) (a.1), (b), (c), (d), (g) or (h).

(4) Despite subsection (3), the minister must not enter into a free use permit with an applicant described in section 48 (1) (a.1), (b), (c), (d) or (h) if, on land the applicant owns or occupies, there is sufficient timber that is reasonably accessible for the purpose specified in the application.

(5) Section 49 (2) and (2.2) applies to a free use permit entered into under this section except that the minister may not, under section 49 (2.1), enter into a free use permit with an applicant described in section 48 (1) (g) for a volume exceeding 50 m3.

(6) Sections 48 (3) and 49 (3) and (4) do not apply in respect of a free use permit entered into under this section.

Division 9.1 — Christmas Tree Permits and Government Use

Christmas tree permit

50   (1) The minister may enter into a Christmas tree permit that

(a) authorizes the permittee to harvest or grow and harvest Christmas trees on Crown land,

(b) requires the payment of the deposits and fees prescribed by the minister, and

(c) includes other terms and conditions, consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts, as determined by the minister.

(2) For the purposes of this section, the minister may prescribe different deposits and different rates or amounts of fees.

Repealed

51   [Repealed 2003-31-37.]

Use by government employees and agents

52   (1) The minister or timber sales manager may, in writing, authorize

(a) employees acting in the course of their duties, and

(b) agents of the government acting in accordance with the terms of the agency

to harvest Crown timber or to use and occupy Crown land in a Provincial forest.

(2) An authorization under subsection (1)

(a) is an agreement under the Forest Act for the purposes of the definition of "forest practice" in the Forest and Range Practices Act, and

(b) may include terms and conditions that the minister or timber sales manager considers appropriate and that are consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts.

(3) If the minister or timber sales manager so specifies in the authorization, the Forest and Range Practices Act applies to the authorization as if the authorization were a forestry licence to cut.

Part 4 — General Tenure Provisions

Division 1 — Interpretation

Interpretation and application

53   (1) In this Part:

"affiliate" means a corporation that is affiliated with another corporation within the meaning of section 53.2 (2);

"agreement" means an agreement in the form of a licence, permit or agreement referred to in section 12;

"control of a corporation" means control of a corporation within the meaning of section 53.2 (1);

"disposition", in relation to an agreement, includes a disposition of an interest in the agreement;

"effective director" means an effective director as defined in the regulations;

"holding corporation" means a holding corporation within the meaning of section 53.2 (4);

"marketing of fibre" means

(a) the acquisition and disposition of rights to harvest timber in British Columbia, and

(b) the buying and selling, within British Columbia, of timber or wood residue;

"related person", in relation to a corporation, means

(a) a person who controls the corporation,

(b) a person who controls a holding corporation whose subsidiary is the corporation, or

(c) an affiliate of the corporation;

"subsidiary" means a subsidiary within the meaning of section 53.2 (3).

(1.1) [Repealed 2003-30-8.]

(1.2) For the purposes of this section and Divisions 2, 2.1 and 4 of this Part, "agreement" includes a pulpwood agreement.

(2) to (4) [Repealed 2019-31-2.]

Holders of agreements

53.1   (1) For the purposes of this Part and subject to subsection (2), a person is the holder of an agreement if any of the following applies:

(a) the person has entered into the agreement, whether singly or jointly with one or more other persons;

(b) the person, under section 54.2 (2), became a holder of the agreement on completion of a disposition;

(c) the person is a partner in a partnership that is a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection.

(2) The government is not to be considered the holder of an agreement for the purposes of this Part.

Corporate relations

53.2   (1) For the purposes of this Part, a corporation is controlled by a person, or a group of persons not dealing with each other at arm's length, if

(a) shares of the corporation are held, other than by way of security only, by or for the benefit of the person or group, as applicable, and

(b) the votes carried by the shares referred to in paragraph (a) are sufficient, if exercised and considered in the aggregate,

(i) to elect or appoint 50% or more of the effective directors of the corporation, or

(ii) to otherwise effectively control the operations and direction of the corporation.

(2) For the purposes of this Part, one corporation is affiliated with another corporation if any of the following apply:

(a) one of them is a subsidiary of the other;

(b) both are subsidiaries of the same holding corporation;

(c) both are controlled by the same person or group of persons;

(d) one of them is controlled by a person or group of persons and the other is a subsidiary of a holding corporation controlled by the same person or group of persons, as applicable;

(e) one of them is a subsidiary of a holding corporation controlled by a person or group of persons and the other is a subsidiary of a different holding corporation controlled by the same person or group of persons, as applicable.

(3) For the purposes of this Part, a corporation is a subsidiary of another corporation if any of the following applies:

(a) the corporation is controlled by the other corporation;

(b) the corporation is controlled by a group comprised of

(i) the other corporation, and

(ii) one or more persons who are not at arm's length from the other corporation, including a corporation that is controlled by the other corporation or by a person who controls the other corporation;

(c) the corporation is a subsidiary of a subsidiary of the other corporation.

(4) For the purposes of this Part, a corporation is the holding corporation of a corporation that is its subsidiary.

Division 2 — Dispositions of Agreements

Transfer of agreements permitted

54   (1) Subject to subsection (2) and to section 54.4, the holder of an agreement may dispose of the agreement to another person.

(2) A disposition of an agreement is without effect unless all of the following conditions have been met:

(a) the minister, in writing, approves the disposition;

(b) as of the end of the day of the completion of the disposition, all money

(i) required to be paid to the government under the circumstances set out in section 130 (1.1), and

(ii) due and payable to the government under that section

in respect of the agreement

(iii) has been paid, or

(iv) is the subject of an arrangement for payment approved by the revenue minister;

(c) in the case of a disposition of a tree farm licence, any private tenure in the tree farm licence area remains subject to the tree farm licence;

(d) in the case of a disposition of a woodlot licence,

(i) the intended recipient is a person or first nation that, under section 44, may enter into a woodlot licence, and

(ii) the private land, if any, in the woodlot licence area remains subject to the woodlot licence;

(d.1) in the case of a disposition of an agreement in relation to which the holder of the agreement has a replaceable contract with a contractor, all obligations of the holder of the agreement under the replaceable contract are assumed by the recipient of the agreement;

(d.2) in the case of a disposition of an agreement

(i) that is a non-BCTS licence, as defined in section 22.2 (1), and

(ii) in relation to which rights to harvest Crown timber have been released to the government under a BCTS disposition agreement under section 22.2,

all rights and obligations of the holder of the non-BCTS licence under the BCTS disposition agreement are assumed by the recipient of that non-BCTS licence;

(d.3) in the case of a disposition of a BC timber sales agreement, the intended recipient is registered

(i) as a BC timber sales enterprise, and

(ii) if applicable, in a category of BC timber sales enterprises that, under section 20 (2) (b) (i), was eligible to apply for the agreement;

(d.4) in the case of a disposition of a road permit, the intended recipient is a person who, under section 115 (1), may be granted a road permit;

(e) [Repealed 2019-31-5.]

(f) the disposition is completed within the longer of the following periods after approval is given by the minister under paragraph (a) of this subsection:

(i) a period specified by the minister in giving the approval;

(ii) a prescribed period, if any.

(2.1) On the request of the minister for the purposes of considering whether to approve a disposition, the holder of the agreement or the intended recipient of the agreement must provide to the minister

(a) prescribed information, and

(b) any other information the minister considers necessary.

(3) In subsection (2) (d.1), "replaceable contract" and "contractor" have the same meaning as in section 152.

Conditions attached to ministerial approval of dispositions

54.01   (1) In this section, "specified agreement" means a specific agreement held by one or both of the following:

(a) the intended recipient of an agreement under a disposition referred to in section 54;

(b) a related person of the intended recipient.

(2) The minister may, in approving a disposition of an agreement under section 54 (2) (a), attach conditions to the approval.

(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the minister may, in approving a disposition of an agreement under section 54 (2) (a), attach as a condition that one or more specified agreements be disposed of

(a) in accordance with section 54 to a person who is at arm's length from the intended recipient and from the related persons of the intended recipient, if any, and

(b) by a date specified by the minister.

(4) Without limiting subsection (2), the minister may, in approving a disposition of an agreement under section 54 (2) (a), attach conditions in relation to a road permit associated with the agreement, including conditions requiring the holder of the agreement to do any of the following:

(a) dispose of the road permit, in accordance with section 54, to the intended recipient of the agreement;

(b) surrender the road permit or rights under the road permit;

(c) if the holder will continue to hold the road permit after the disposition of the agreement, provide security to the minister for the performance of the holder's obligations under the road permit, this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act.

Mandatory refusal of dispositions

54.02   (1) In considering whether to approve a disposition under section 54 (2) (a), the minister must consider the effect of the disposition on

(a) the marketing of fibre in British Columbia, and

(b) the public interest.

(2) Subsection (3) applies if, in considering the matters under subsection (1), the minister considers that any of the following applies:

(a) in the case of a disposition of a tree farm licence, forest licence or pulpwood agreement, the disposition would result in one or more of the following persons, on an individual or aggregate basis, holding or otherwise controlling rights to harvest Crown timber in an amount that is detrimental to competition in the marketing of fibre in all or part of British Columbia:

(i) the intended recipient of the agreement;

(ii) a related person of the intended recipient;

(b) in any case, it would not be in the public interest for the intended recipient to acquire the agreement under the disposition or to hold the rights under the agreement.

(3) In the circumstances referred to in subsection (2), the minister

(a) must not approve the disposition, or

(b) may approve the disposition only if the minister attaches conditions to the approval that will address, to the satisfaction of the minister, the applicable circumstances under subsection (2).

(4) Nothing in this section is intended to limit the authority of the minister to refuse approval of a disposition under section 54 (2) (a).

Repealed

54.1   [Repealed 2019-31-8.]

Confirmation of completion of disposition and effect of completion

54.2   (1) On completing a disposition of an agreement, both the holder of the agreement and the person who acquired the agreement under the disposition must confirm the completion in writing to the minister within 7 days after the completion.

(2) On completing a disposition of an agreement, the person who acquired the agreement under the disposition becomes the holder of the agreement for the purposes of this Act.

Dispositions exempt from certain requirements

54.3   (1) In this section, "security interest" means an interest, in an agreement, that secures payment or performance of an obligation.

(2) Sections 54 (2) and 54.2 do not apply to the following dispositions:

(a) the granting, in good faith, of a security interest in an agreement;

(b) the transmission of an interest in an agreement

(i) to a trustee in bankruptcy of the holder of the agreement, or

(ii) from the estate of a deceased holder of an agreement to the deceased holder's personal representative.

(3) Within 3 months after a disposition referred to in subsection (2) (b), the trustee or personal representative referred to in that subsection must provide to the minister written notice of the disposition.

(4) For certainty, subsection (2) (a) does not include a disposition resulting from the enforcement of a security interest.

Transfer of certain agreements not permitted

54.4   (0.1) In this section, "restricted forest licence" and "supplemental forest licence" have the same meaning as in section 14.2 (1).

(1) The holder of an agreement may not dispose of the agreement to another person if the agreement

(a) [Repealed 2013-12-23.]

(b) is one of the following agreements, unless the disposition is made with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council or as permitted by the regulations:

(i) a non-replaceable forest licence entered into under section 13.1 (5);

(i.1) an agreement entered into under section 47.3 (1) (a);

(ii) a community forest agreement;

(iii) a first nations woodland licence,

(iv) [Repealed 2021-38-30.]

(c) [Repealed 2021-37-7.]

(d) is an occupant licence to cut unless the disposition is made in conjunction with a disposition of

(i) land, or

(ii) a right to occupy land

to which the licence to cut pertains, or

(e) is a free use permit.

(1.01) The holder of an agreement that is a restricted forest licence or supplemental forest licence may not dispose of the agreement to another person if the holder, at the time the agreement was entered into,

(a) owned or leased a prescribed type of processing facility, or

(b) intended to own or lease a prescribed type of processing facility,

unless the disposition is made with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council or as permitted by the regulations.

(1.1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may attach conditions to an approval under subsection (1) (b) or (1.01).

(1.2) Despite any of the exceptions to the prohibitions on disposition in subsections (1) and (1.01), a person may not dispose of an agreement in respect of which rights are under suspension, in whole or in part, under section 76 or 78.

(1.3) A disposition approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council under subsection (1) (b) or (1.01) must be completed within the longer of the following periods after approval is given:

(a) the period specified by the Lieutenant Governor in Council in giving the approval;

(b) if authorized by Lieutenant Governor in Council in giving the approval, a period specified by the minister.

(1.4) The conditions under section 54 (2) (a) and (f) do not apply to a disposition approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council under subsection (1) (b) or (1.01) of this section.

(2) A disposition of an agreement contrary to this section is without effect.

Repealed

54.5   [Repealed 2019-31-12.]

Effect of disposition on obligations

54.6   (0.1) In this section, "outstanding liability", in relation to an agreement, means a liability referred to in subsection (1)

(a) accrued or accruing as of the date on which a disposition of the agreement is completed, and

(b) still outstanding as of that date.

(1) Subject to subsection (1.1), on completing a disposition of an agreement, the person who acquired the agreement under the disposition becomes liable in the person's capacity as the holder of the agreement

(a) for payment of all money in respect of the agreement that

(i) is required to be paid to the government under the circumstances set out in section 130, whether before or after the date of completion, and

(ii) is due and payable to the government under that section after the date of the completion or under an arrangement for payment under section 54 (2) (b) (iv),

(b) to perform all obligations under the agreement, including but not limited to obligations accrued or accruing as of the date of completion and still outstanding as of that date, and

(c) to perform all other obligations in respect of the agreement, including but not limited to obligations

(i) accrued or accruing as of the date of completion of the disposition and still outstanding as of that date, and

(ii) imposed with respect to the agreement under this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act or the Wildfire Act.

(1.1) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who acquires an agreement under a disposition referred to in section 54.3 (2).

(2) The following persons, as applicable, continue to be liable, jointly and severally with the person referred to in subsection (1) who acquires an agreement under a disposition, for all outstanding liabilities in relation to the agreement:

(a) the person who disposed of the agreement, other than a trustee in bankruptcy or a personal representative referred to in section 54.3 (2) (b);

(b) a person who held the agreement, if the agreement was disposed of

(i) by the trustee in bankruptcy, referred to in section 54.3 (2) (b) (i), of the person, or

(ii) by the personal representative, referred to in section 54.3 (2) (b) (ii), of the person.

Suspension of rights if condition of disposition not met

54.61   (1) The minister may suspend rights under an agreement under section 76 (1), or under a BC timber sales agreement under section 78.1 (1), if any of the following apply:

(a) the holder purports to dispose of the agreement when a condition set out in section 54 (2) is not met;

(b) the holder purports to dispose of the agreement contrary to section 54.4;

(c) a condition attached under section 54.01 or 54.4 (1.1) to an approval of a disposition of the agreement is not met.

(1.1) The minister may suspend rights under a road permit under section 76 (1) if a condition relating to the road permit attached under section 54.01 (4) to an approval of a disposition of an agreement is not met.

(2) A timber sales manager may take action under section 78 (1) in relation to a BC timber sales agreement if satisfied that any of the circumstances set out in subsection (1) of this section applies to the agreement.

Division 2.1 — Corporate Changes of Control and Amalgamations

Interpretation

54.62   (1) For the purposes of this Division, control of a corporation that holds an agreement changes if, as a result of an amalgamation or one or more transactions,

(a) control of the corporation changes or is acquired or disposed of, or

(b) control of a holding corporation, whose subsidiary is the corporation, changes or is acquired or disposed of.

(2) For the purposes of this Division, a corporation that holds an agreement amalgamates with another corporation that holds an agreement if the corporation, or a holding corporation whose subsidiary is the corporation, amalgamates with

(a) another corporation that holds an agreement, or

(b) a holding corporation whose subsidiary is a corporation that holds an agreement.

Notice of change of control or amalgamation

54.63   A corporation that holds an agreement must give written notice to the minister of the following events within 30 days after each event:

(a) a change of control of the corporation;

(b) an amalgamation of the corporation with another corporation that holds an agreement.

Review of change of control or amalgamation

54.64   (1) On receiving notice under section 54.63, the minister must

(a) review the change of control or amalgamation, as applicable, and

(b) consider the effects of the change of control or amalgamation, as applicable, on

(i) the marketing of fibre in British Columbia, and

(ii) the public interest.

(2) On the request of the minister for the purposes of a review under subsection (1) (a), the corporation must provide to the minister

(a) prescribed information, and

(b) any other information the minister considers necessary.

Circumstances in which minister may take administrative action

54.65   The minister may take action under section 54.66 against a corporation that holds an agreement if

(a) control of the corporation changes, or the corporation amalgamates with another corporation that holds an agreement, and

(b) any of the following apply:

(i) immediately after the change of control or amalgamation, all money

(A) required to be paid by the corporation to the government under the circumstances set out in section 130 (1.1), and

(B) due and payable to the government under that section

in respect of the agreement

(C) has not been paid, and

(D) is not the subject of an arrangement for payment approved by the revenue minister;

(ii) in the case of a change of control or amalgamation of a corporation that holds a BC timber sales agreement, the change of control or amalgamation results in the corporation no longer being registered

(A) as a BC timber sales enterprise, or

(B) if applicable, in a category of BC timber sales enterprises that, under section 20 (2) (b) (i), was eligible to apply for the agreement;

(iii) in the case of a change of control or amalgamation of a corporation that holds a first nations woodland licence, the change of control or amalgamation results in the corporation being a person or entity that, under section 43.54, is not permitted to enter into a first nations woodland licence;

(iv) in the case of a change of control or amalgamation of a corporation that holds a woodlot licence, the change of control or amalgamation results in the corporation being a person who, under section 44, is not permitted to enter into a woodlot licence;

(v) in the case of a change of control or amalgamation of a corporation that holds a tree farm licence, forest licence or pulpwood agreement, the minister considers that the change of control or amalgamation results in one or more of the following persons, on an individual or aggregate basis, holding or otherwise controlling rights to harvest Crown timber in an amount that is detrimental to competition in the marketing of fibre in all or part of British Columbia:

(A) the corporation;

(B) a related person of the corporation;

(vi) the minister considers that, as a result of the change of control or amalgamation, it is not in the public interest for the corporation to continue to hold the agreement or to exercise the rights under the agreement.

Administrative actions following change of control or amalgamation

54.66   (1) In the circumstances referred to in section 54.65, the minister may

(a) without notice, immediately suspend the rights under the applicable agreement referred to in section 54.65 (b), in whole or in part, and

(b) after giving the corporation an opportunity to be heard, do one or more of the following:

(i) suspend the rights under the agreement, in whole or in part, or confirm or vary a suspension under paragraph (a) of this subsection;

(ii) subject to subsection (3) of this section, require the corporation to dispose of the agreement, in accordance with section 54 and by the date specified by the minister, to a person who is at arm's length from the corporation and from the related persons of the corporation, if any;

(iii) accept a proposal made by the corporation under section 54.67;

(iv) impose other requirements on the corporation.

(2) The minister must reinstate any rights suspended under subsection (1) (a) if the minister does not confirm or vary the suspension after providing an opportunity to be heard under subsection (1) (b).

(3) The minister may not impose a requirement under subsection (1) (b) (ii) if the minister accepts a proposal under subsection (1) (b) (iii).

Proposal by corporation following administrative action

54.67   (1) In this section, "specified agreement" means a specific agreement held by one or both of the following:

(a) a corporation that has been given an opportunity to be heard under section 54.66 (1);

(b) a related person of the corporation.

(2) For the purposes of addressing a circumstance under section 54.65 (b), a corporation that has been given an opportunity to be heard under section 54.66 (1) may propose to the minister that one or more specified agreements be disposed of.

(3) If the minister accepts a proposal under subsection (2), it is a condition of the minister's acceptance that each specified agreement be disposed of

(a) in accordance with section 54 to a person who is at arm's length from the corporation and from the related persons of the corporation, if any, and

(b) by a date specified by the minister.

(4) The minister must accept a proposal made under subsection (2) if

(a) the minister intends to impose a requirement under section 54.66 (1) (b) (ii) to address circumstances under section 54.65 (b), and

(b) the proposed disposition will address, to the satisfaction of the minister, those circumstances.

Exempt changes of control

54.68   (1) Sections 54.63 to 54.67 do not apply to a change of control of a corporation that is caused by a transmission of shares in its capital

(a) to a trustee in bankruptcy of the holder of the shares, or

(b) from the estate of a deceased person to the deceased person's personal representative.

(2) Within 3 months after a change of control referred to in subsection (1), the corporation must provide to the minister written notice of the change of control.

Subsequent suspension or cancellation of rights

54.69   (1) The minister may suspend rights under an agreement under section 76 (1), or under a BC timber sales agreement under section 78.1 (1), if any of the following apply:

(a) the holder did not dispose of the agreement as required under section 54.66 (1) (b) (ii);

(b) a proposal of the holder was accepted under section 54.66 (1) (b) (iii) by the minister and a condition of the minister's acceptance set out in section 54.67 (3) was not met;

(c) the holder failed to comply with a requirement imposed under section 54.66 (1) (b) (iv).

(2) The minister may cancel an agreement, other than a BC timber sales agreement, under section 77 (1) if

(a) rights under the agreement were suspended, or a suspension of rights under the agreement was confirmed or varied, under section 54.66 (1) (b) (i),

(b) the suspension remains in effect, and

(c) any of the circumstances set out in subsection (1) of this section applies to the agreement.

(3) A timber sales manager may take action under section 78 (1) in relation to a BC timber sales agreement if satisfied that any of the circumstances set out in subsection (1) of this section applies to the agreement.

Division 2.2 — Dispositions of Private Lands Subject to Agreements and Exchanges of Rights

Disposition of private land subject to tree farm licence or woodlot licence

54.7   (1) The minister's prior written consent must be obtained for the disposition of private land or an interest in private land if the private land or interest is subject to a tree farm licence or to a woodlot licence.

(2) The minister may attach conditions to a consent given under subsection (1).

(3) The minister, without notice and despite section 77, may cancel a tree farm licence or woodlot licence if the minister determines that

(a) the minister's prior written consent was not obtained to a disposition for which the consent was required under in subsection (1), or

(b) the person to whom a consent was given under subsection (1) does not comply with a condition attached to the consent under subsection (2).

(4) If the minister determines that there are grounds under subsection (3) to cancel a tree farm licence or woodlot licence, but decides against cancelling the licence,

(a) the minister is deemed to have consented to the disposition of the private land or the disposition of the interest in the private land, and

(b) the minister, in making the decision not to cancel, may attach conditions to the licence that the minister considers appropriate in the circumstances.

(5) The holder of a licence to which conditions are attached under subsection (4) (b) must comply with the conditions.

(6) This section does not apply to a disposition of private land, or an interest in private land, that is subject to a tree farm licence or woodlot licence if

(a) the licence is disposed of in accordance with section 54, and

(b) the private land or interest in private land, as applicable, is disposed of to the person who acquired the licence under the disposition referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

Repealed

54.8   (1) [Repealed 2019-31-18.]

(2) [Enacted 2003-30-9, not in force; 2003-30-9 repealed 2004-36-129.]

Repealed

55-56   [Repealed 2003-30-9.]

Repealed

56.1   (1) to (4) [Repealed 2003-30-9.]

(5) and (6) [Repealed 2003-30-10.]

(7) and (8) [Repealed RS1996-157-56.1 (8).]

Exchanges of rights

57   (1) The minister, with the consent of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, may enter into, in exchange for the surrender of a timber licence, a new timber licence describing Crown land the timber on which is not otherwise encumbered.

(2) Despite section 95 of the Land Act, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may accept under that section, in exchange for Crown land, private forest land of greater or lesser value.

(3) Before a transaction is completed under subsection (1) or (2), the minister must obtain a current appraisal of the value of the lands or timber, as the case may be, involved in the transaction, prepared by an independent appraiser appointed by the minister.

Division 3Extensions, Increases and Reductions

Repealed

58   [Repealed 2021-38-32.]

Extension of timber sale licences and cutting permits

58.1   (1) The holder of a timber sale licence that

(a) has a term of less than 4 years, and

(b) was entered into on or after November 4, 2003

may apply in writing to the timber sales manager for an extension of the term of the licence for a period that

(c) does not exceed one year, and

(d) does not result in a term of more than 4 years for that licence.

(2) The holder of a cutting permit that

(a) has a term of less than 4 years,

(b) is not issued under a licence to cut, and

(c) was entered into on or after November 4, 2003

may apply in writing to the district manager for an extension of the term of the permit for a period that

(d) does not exceed one year, and

(e) does not result in a term of more than 4 years for that permit.

(3) Subject to subsection (8), the timber sales manager or district manager must accept an application under subsection (1) or (2) if

(a) the timber sale licence or the agreement under which the cutting permit was issued, does not prohibit the extensions,

(b) rights under the timber sale licence or the cutting permit are not under suspension, and

(c) the holder of the timber sale licence or cutting permit has paid to the government a fee equal to the amount determined under subsection (5) and, if applicable, subsection (5.1).

(4) On the date of acceptance of an application under subsection (3), the term of the timber sale licence or cutting permit, as the case may be, is extended in accordance with the application.

(5) The fee referred to in subsection (3) (c)

(a) for a timber sale licence for which there was a bonus bid is a fee equal to a prescribed percentage of an amount calculated according to the following formula:

[(the bonus bid) + (the upset stumpage rate)] × the volume or estimated volume of timber, as
applicable, that was advertised in the invitation
for applications for the licence

or

(b) for a timber sale licence for which there was a bonus offer is a fee equal to a prescribed percentage of an amount calculated according to the following formula:

[the bonus offer] + (the upset stumpage rate) × (the volume or estimated volume of timber, as
applicable, that was advertised in the invitation
for applications for the licence)

and

(c) for a cutting permit is a fee equal to a prescribed amount or equal to an amount determined in accordance with one or more prescribed formulas.

(5.1) If the holder of a timber sale licence harvested timber under the licence before applying to extend the term of the licence under subsection (1), the fee payable under subsection (5) (a) or (b) is reduced, to a maximum of 90%, by the percentage derived from the following formula:

the volume of timber harvested under the licence
on or before the date of application as
determined by the timber sales manager

 × 100
the volume or estimated volume of timber,
as applicable, that was advertised in the
invitation for applications for the licence

(6) However, at the request of the holder of a timber sale licence or cutting permit who has submitted an application for an extension under subsection (1) or (2), the minister or a person authorized by the minister may waive the fee referred to in subsection (3) (c), if the minister or authorized person is satisfied that the reasons for the extension are circumstances

(a) beyond the holder's control, and

(b) unrelated to the holder's financial situation.

(6.1) A request referred to in subsection (6) must

(a) be submitted within 30 days after the date an application for an extension under subsection (1) or (2) is made,

(b) be signed by, or on behalf of, the requesting person, and

(c) specify the reasons for the request.

(7) A fee paid under subsection (3) (c) must not be credited towards stumpage.

(8) The timber sales manager or district manager may refuse to accept an application to extend the term of a timber sale licence or cutting permit under subsection (3) if, in his or her opinion, the extension would prevent the fulfillment of an obligation under the Forest and Range Practices Act or the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act.

(9) The term of a timber sale licence or cutting permit to which this section applies must not be extended except in accordance with this section.

Repealed

58.2   [Repealed 2021-37-9.]

Transition for cutting permits in effect on November 4, 2003

58.201   (1) This section applies to a cutting permit that

(a) was in effect on November 4, 2003, and

(b) remains in effect on the date this section comes into force.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the term of a cutting permit to which this section applies must not be extended.

(3) If the term of a cutting permit to which this section applies expires before the date that is one year after the date this section comes into force, the term of the cutting permit is extended to that date.

(4) The operation of a cutting permit to which this section applies must not be postponed.

Postponement of operation of cutting permits

58.21   (1) On application by the holder of a cutting permit that was issued on or after November 4, 2003, the minister, in accordance with the regulations, may postpone the operation of the cutting permit for a period of up to 2 years.

(2) The effective date of a postponement under subsection (1) is the date determined by the minister that is on or after the date of application for the postponement.

(3) Despite subsection (2), the effective date of a postponement under subsection (1) for a cutting permit

(a) that was issued on or after November 4, 2003 and before June 1, 2007, and

(b) that has less than 2 years' time remaining on its term from the date of the application for the postponement to the expiration date of the cutting permit,

is the date that is the later of

(c) the date that timber harvesting under the cutting permit ceased, if harvesting under the cutting permit took place, and

(d) the date that is 2 years before the expiration date of the cutting permit, if no harvesting under the cutting permit took place during that 2-year period.

(4) On application by the holder of a cutting permit that had its operation postponed under subsection (1), the minister, in accordance with subsection (1), may grant further extensions to the period of postponement, each for a period not exceeding 2 years.

(5) The holder of a cutting permit that had its operation postponed under subsection (1) must not exercise any of the rights granted by the cutting permit during the period of postponement, including any extensions to the period of postponement granted under subsection (4).

(6) Despite subsection (5), the holder of a cutting permit that had its operation postponed under subsection (1) is liable to perform all obligations imposed under this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act or the Wildfire Act in respect of the cutting permit that were incurred before the operation of the cutting permit was postponed.

(7) On application by the holder of a cutting permit that had its operation postponed under subsection (1), the minister must rescind the postponement of the cutting permit.

(8) If the postponement of a cutting permit is rescinded under subsection (7),

(a) all rights under the cutting permit are exercisable by the holder of the cutting permit,

(b) despite any contrary information in the cutting permit, the period of time remaining on the term of the cutting permit on the date the postponement is rescinded is equal to the period of time that remained on the term of the cutting permit on the effective date of the postponement under subsection (1), and

(c) the operation of the cutting permit must not be postponed again under subsection (1), nor the period of postponement extended under subsection (4).

Surrender of BC timber sales agreement

58.3   (1) The holder of a timber sale licence may apply in writing to the timber sales manager to surrender the licence.

(2) The timber sales manager must accept the application to surrender the licence if

(a) no harvesting has taken place under the licence, and

(b) any requirements prescribed for the purposes of this section are fulfilled.

(3) On the date of acceptance of an application under subsection (2)

(a) the timber sale licence that is the subject of the application is surrendered, and

(b) if the timber sale licence was advertised on or after November 4, 2003, any deposit required under this Act in relation to the licence and held by the government is forfeited to the government.

(4) However, at the request of the holder of a timber sale licence, the minister or a person authorized by the minister may relieve the holder of a timber sale licence surrendered under this section from the forfeiture imposed under subsection (3) (b) if the minister or authorized person is satisfied that the reasons for the surrender are circumstances

(a) beyond the holder's control, and

(b) unrelated to the holder's financial situation.

(5) A request referred to in subsection (4) must

(a) be made within 30 days after the date an application to surrender a timber sale licence under subsection (1) is made,

(b) be signed by, or on behalf of, the requesting person, and

(c) specify the reasons for the request.

Increase of allowable annual cut

59   If the holder of a forest licence carries out silviculture treatments to free growing stands, as defined in the Forest and Range Practices Act, located on Crown land in the timber supply area specified in the licence, the minister, subject to and if authorized by the regulations, may increase the allowable annual cut authorized under the licence by a volume equal to the determination by the minister of the potential gain in timber production from the Crown land attributable to the silviculture treatments.

Innovative forestry practices

59.1   (1) For the purpose of improving the productivity of the forestry resource, the minister, at his or her discretion, may enter into an agreement with a person referred to in subsection (2) to allow that person to carry out, subject to subsection (5) and the Forest and Range Practices Act, one or more of the innovative forestry practices and other activities that are set out in a regulation made under subsection (4).

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the minister may enter into an agreement with a person who

(a) is the holder of a forest licence or other agreement that is entered into under section 12 and specified in a regulation made under subsection (4) of this section, and

(b) presents a written proposal for an agreement to the minister.

(3) An agreement under subsection (1)

(a) must be for a term not exceeding the term prescribed in a regulation made under subsection (4) (c), and

(b) may include terms and conditions that

(i) the minister considers are necessary to effectively carry out the purpose of the agreement and further the social and economic objectives of the government, and

(ii) are consistent with this Act and the regulations and the Forest and Range Practices Act, and the regulations and standards made under that Act.

(4) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations as follows:

(a) specifying the innovative forestry practices and other activities that may be the subject of an agreement referred to in subsection (1);

(b) specifying the agreements entered into under section 12, the holders of which may enter into an agreement with the minister under subsection (1) of this section;

(c) prescribing the maximum term of an agreement under subsection (1).

(5) A person may only carry out an innovative forestry practice or other activity referred to in subsection (1) if the person

(a) has prepared and obtained the minister's approval of a forestry plan that meets the requirements of subsection (6), and

(b) is carrying out the practice or activity in accordance with the plan.

(6) A forestry plan

(a) must contain a description of the management area where the innovative forestry practices or other activities will be carried out,

(b) must specify the particulars of the innovative forestry practices or other activities,

(c) must contain a description of how the innovative forestry practices or other activities will be carried out,

(d) must contain a schedule of when the innovative forestry practices or other activities will be carried out,

(e) must specify how the innovative forestry practices or other activities will contribute to improved productivity of the forestry resource,

(f) must specify how the innovative forestry practices or other activities will justify an increase in the allowable annual cut of the participant's licence or agreement referred to in subsection (2) (a), and

(g) may include other terms and conditions that

(i) the minister believes are necessary to effectively carry out the agreement referred to in subsection (1), and

(ii) are consistent with this Act and the regulations and the Forest and Range Practices Act, and the regulations and standards made under that Act.

(7) After approving a person's forestry plan, the minister may increase the allowable annual cut authorized in the person's licence or agreement referred to in subsection (2) (a) by an amount that is justified according to timber supply analysis methodology approved by the chief forester or the chief forester's designate.

(8) When the minister increases an allowable annual cut under subsection (7), the minister may limit the increase to a period of time, area of land and type of timber, and may make the increase subject to conditions.

(9) If an assessment of

(a) the innovative forestry practices or other activities being carried out under the forestry plan, or

(b) information that was not available at the time the minister increased the allowable annual cut under subsection (7)

indicates that all or part of the allowable annual cut increase was not justified, the minister may reduce the allowable annual cut of the licence or agreement referred to in subsection (2) (a) by an amount not exceeding the increase granted under subsection (7).

(10) If, with respect to an innovative forestry practice or other activity, a person is not complying with

(a) the agreement referred to in subsection (1),

(b) the forestry plan approved under subsection (5),

(c) any limitation or conditions imposed under subsection (8), or

(d) this Act and the regulations made under this Act, or the Forest and Range Practices Act and the regulations or standards made under that Act,

the minister may do one or both of the following:

(e) suspend or cancel the agreement referred to in subsection (1) and sections 76 and 77 apply with respect to that suspension or cancellation;

(f) reduce the allowable annual cut of the person's licence or agreement referred to in subsection (2) (a) by an amount the minister determines is attributable to the default.

(11) A reduction under subsection (9) or (10) may be apportioned over a period of up to 5 years.

(12) If the forest licence, or other agreement referred to in subsection (2) (a), is suspended, the agreement under subsection (1) is suspended.

(13) If the forest licence, or other agreement referred to in subsection (2) (a), is cancelled or surrendered, the agreement under subsection (1) is cancelled.

(14) If the agreement referred to in subsection (1) is suspended or cancelled, the forestry plan is suspended or cancelled, as the case may be.

Repealed

60-60.95   [Repealed 2021-38-34.]

Temporary reductions

61   (1) The minister, with the consent of the holder of the licence or agreement, may reduce for a specified period the allowable annual cut authorized

(a) in a forest licence, or

(b) for a tree farm licence area, community forest agreement area, first nations woodland licence area or woodlot licence area.

(2) Before expiry of a period of reduction specified under this section, the minister, with the consent of the holder of the licence or agreement, may

(a) extend the period of the reduction, or

(b) increase or decrease the size of the reduction.

(3) During the period of a reduction under this section, the total volume of timber comprised in the reduction is available for disposition under this Act to persons other than the holder of the licence or agreement.

Return of surrendered harvesting rights

62   At the end of the period of any reduction specified under section 61, the allowable annual cut authorized in or for the licence or agreement that was subject to the reduction is restored by this section to the amount that is equal to the allowable annual cut that was in effect for the licence or agreement immediately before the reduction, minus any reductions, other than under section 61, that have been made under this Act or the licence or agreement during the period of the reduction.

Definitions for sections 63 to 63.05

62.1   In this section and in sections 63 to 63.05:

"base-level allowable annual cut" means the allowable annual cut prescribed as the base-level allowable annual cut for ungrouped licences and groups of licences;

"combined allowable annual cut", in relation to a group of licences, means the combined total of the allowable annual cuts authorized for each licence in the group of licences;

"combined allowable annual cut reduction", in relation to a group of licences, means the share of a timber supply area reduction that applies to the group of licences, as determined under section 63.02 and, if applicable, section 63.03;

"group of licences" means 2 or more licences that are in a group of licences, as determined under section 63.01;

"licence" means a forest licence;

"timber supply area reduction", in relation to a timber supply area, means the amount of reduction in the allowable annual cut for the timber supply area that is to be distributed among the licences in that timber supply area, as determined under section 63 (2) (a);

"ungrouped licence" means a licence that is not in a group of licences.

Reduction among licences in timber supply area

63   (1) If the allowable annual cut determined for a timber supply area is reduced under section 8 for any reason, other than a reduction in the area of land in the timber supply area, the minister may reduce the allowable annual cuts of the licences in the timber supply area.

(2) To reduce the allowable annual cuts of the licences referred to in subsection (1), the minister must do the following:

(a) determine how much of the reduction in the allowable annual cut determined for the timber supply area is to be distributed among the licences;

(b) determine under section 63.01

(i) which licences are in a group of licences, and

(ii) which licences are ungrouped licences;

(c) distribute the timber supply area reduction among the groups of licences and ungrouped licences by using the methods set out in section 63.02 and, if applicable, section 63.03;

(d) if the combined allowable annual cut of a group of licences is reduced as a result of the distribution under paragraph (c), distribute that combined allowable annual cut reduction among those licences by using the methods set out in section 63.04 and, if applicable, section 63.05.

(3) A reduction under subsection (2) to the allowable annual cut of a licence takes effect when notice of the reduction is served on the holder of the licence.

(4) When a reduction to the allowable annual cut of a licence takes effect, the licence is deemed to be amended to reflect the reduction.

Determining groups of licences

63.01   (1) For the purposes of section 63 (2) (b), the minister may determine that 2 or more licences are in a group of licences if either of the following applies:

(a) each of the licences is singly held by the same person;

(b) each of the licences is held, singly or jointly, only by persons who are related persons in respect of each other.

(2) If the minister determines under subsection (1) that a licence is in a group of licences, notice of the determination must be served on the holder of the licence.

(3) Within 30 days after the holder of a licence has been served notice under subsection (2), the holder may request the minister to reconsider the determination made under subsection (1) on the grounds that the determination is inaccurate with respect to the licence.

(4) A request under subsection (3) must include a statement setting out why the holder considers that the determination is inaccurate with respect to the holder's licence.

(5) If the minister receives a request under subsection (3), the minister must, before distributions are made under sections 63.02 to 63.05,

(a) confirm or reverse the determination, and

(b) give to the holder written reasons for the confirmation or reversal made under paragraph (a) of this subsection.

Distributing timber supply area reductions among groups of licences and ungrouped licences

63.02   (1) To distribute a timber supply area reduction under section 63 (2) (c), the minister must do the following with respect to the groups of licences and ungrouped licences in the timber supply area, other than the groups of licences and ungrouped licences referred to in subsection (2) of this section:

(a) determine the share of the reduction that applies to each group of licences and each ungrouped licence by using the following formula:

share = TSA reduction ×AAC

Total AAC

where

TSA reduction=the timber supply area reduction;
AAC=the combined allowable annual cut of the group of licences or the allowable annual cut of the ungrouped licence, as applicable;
Total AAC=the sum of the following:
(i)the total of all combined allowable annual cuts of the groups of licences;
(ii)the total of all allowable annual cuts of the ungrouped licences;

(b) reduce the combined allowable annual cut of each group of licences by the share of the reduction determined for that group under paragraph (a);

(c) reduce the allowable annual cut of each ungrouped licence by the share of the reduction determined for that ungrouped licence under paragraph (a);

(d) if, after being reduced under paragraph (b), the combined allowable annual cut of a group of licences is less than the base-level allowable annual cut, adjust the combined allowable annual cut so that it equals the base-level allowable annual cut;

(e) if, after being reduced under paragraph (c), the allowable annual cut of an ungrouped licence is less than the base-level allowable annual cut, adjust the allowable annual cut so that it equals the base-level allowable annual cut;

(f) if an adjustment is made to a combined allowable annual cut under paragraph (d) or to an allowable annual cut under paragraph (e), do the following:

(i) determine the remaining part of the timber supply area reduction that is left to be distributed by adding the amounts of the adjustments that were made to combined allowable annual cuts and allowable annual cuts under paragraphs (d) and (e);

(ii) determine which of the groups of licences still have a combined allowable annual cut that is greater than the base-level allowable annual cut;

(iii) determine which of the ungrouped licences still have an allowable annual cut that is greater than the base-level allowable annual cut;

(iv) repeat the steps in paragraphs (a) to (e) but apply them with respect to

(A) the remaining part of the timber supply area reduction determined under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, and

(B) the groups of licences and ungrouped licences referred to in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph, as reduced under paragraph (b) or (c), as applicable;

(g) repeat the steps in paragraph (f) as necessary until one of the following occurs:

(i) the timber supply area reduction is fully distributed among the groups of licences and ungrouped licences;

(ii) each group of licences has a combined allowable annual cut, and each ungrouped licence has an allowable annual cut, that is equal to the base-level allowable annual cut.

(2) The following are excluded from a distribution under subsection (1):

(a) each group of licences in the timber supply area that has a combined allowable annual cut that is less than the base-level allowable annual cut;

(b) each ungrouped licence in the timber supply area that has an allowable annual cut that is less than the base-level allowable annual cut;

(c) each licence that is a prescribed licence or is in a prescribed class of licence.

Distributing remaining part of timber supply area reduction among groups of licences and ungrouped licences

63.03   (1) In this section, "remaining part", in respect of a timber supply area reduction, means the part of the timber supply area reduction, if any, that is not fully distributed after using the method set out in section 63.02.

(2) This section applies if the minister's use of the distribution methods under section 63.02 (1) results in the outcome referred to in paragraph (g) (ii) of that provision.

(3) In the circumstances referred to in subsection (2), the minister must distribute the remaining part of the timber supply area reduction among all the groups of licences and ungrouped licences in the timber supply area, including the groups of licences and ungrouped licences referred to in section 63.02 (2) (a) and (b) but not including the licences referred to in section 63.02 (2) (c), by doing the following:

(a) determining the share of the remaining part that applies to each group of licences and each ungrouped licence by using the following formula:

share = remaining part ×AAC

Total AAC

where

remaining part=the remaining part;
AAC=the combined allowable annual cut of the group of licences or the allowable annual cut of the ungrouped licence, as applicable, after reductions are made under section 63.02;
Total AAC=the sum of the following:
(i)the total of all combined allowable annual cuts of the groups of licences after reductions are made under section 63.02;
(ii)the total of all allowable annual cuts of the ungrouped licences after reductions are made under section 63.02;

(b) reducing the combined allowable annual cut of each group of licences by the share of the remaining part determined for that group of licences under paragraph (a);

(c) reducing the allowable annual cut of each ungrouped licence by the share of the remaining part determined for that ungrouped licence under paragraph (a).

Distributing combined allowable annual cut reductions among licences in groups of licences

63.04   (1) To carry out the distribution of a combined allowable annual cut reduction under section 63 (2) (d), the minister must do the following with respect to the licences in the group of licences, other than the licences referred to in subsection (2) of this section:

(a) determine the share of the combined allowable annual cut reduction that applies to each licence by using the following formula:

share = reduction ×AAC

Total AAC

where

reduction=the combined allowable annual cut reduction;
AAC=the allowable annual cut of the licence;
Total AAC=the total of all the allowable annual cuts of the licences, not including the total of all the allowable annual cuts of the licences referred to in subsection (2);

(b) reduce the allowable annual cut of each licence by the share of the reduction determined for that licence under paragraph (a);

(c) if, after being reduced under paragraph (b), the allowable annual cut of a licence is less than the base-level allowable annual cut, adjust the allowable annual cut so that it equals the base-level allowable annual cut;

(d) if an adjustment is made to an allowable annual cut under paragraph (c), do the following:

(i) determine the remaining part of the combined allowable annual cut reduction that is left to be distributed by adding the amounts of the adjustments that were made to allowable annual cuts under paragraph (c);

(ii) determine which of the licences still have an allowable annual cut that is greater than the base-level allowable annual cut;

(iii) repeat the steps in paragraphs (a) to (c) but apply them with respect to

(A) the remaining part of the combined allowable annual cut reduction determined under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, and

(B) the licences referred to in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, as reduced under paragraph (b);

(e) repeat the steps in paragraph (d) as necessary until one of the following occurs:

(i) the combined allowable annual cut reduction is fully distributed among the licences;

(ii) each licence has an allowable annual cut that is equal to the base-level allowable annual cut.

(2) A licence is excluded from a distribution under subsection (1) if the licence has an allowable annual cut that is less than the base-level allowable annual cut.

Distributing remaining part of combined allowable annual cut reduction among licences in groups of licences

63.05   (1) In this section, "remaining part", in respect of a combined allowable annual cut reduction, means the part of the combined allowable annual cut reduction, if any, that is not fully distributed after using the method set out in section 63.04.

(2) This section applies if the minister's use of the distribution methods under section 63.04 (1) results in the outcome referred to in paragraph (e) (ii) of that provision.

(3) In the circumstances referred to in subsection (2), the minister must distribute the remaining part of the combined allowable annual cut reduction among all the licences in the group of licences, including the licences referred to in section 63.04 (2), by doing the following:

(a) determining the share of the remaining part that applies to each licence by using the following formula:

share = remaining part ×AAC

Total AAC

where

remaining part=the remaining part;
AAC=the allowable annual cut of the licence after reductions are made under section 63.04;
Total AAC=the total of all allowable annual cuts of the licences after reductions are made under section 63.04

(b) reducing the allowable annual cut of each licence by the share of the remaining part determined for that licence under paragraph (a).

Proportionate reduction if section 59.1 applies

63.1   (1) In this section:

"allowable annual cut increase", for the period from the date on which the determination of the previous allowable annual cut is made effective and the date on which the determination of the current allowable annual cut is made effective, means the sum of all increases under section 59.1 to the allowable annual cuts specified in forest licences or other agreements in the timber supply area;

"previous allowable annual cut" means the allowable annual cut that was in effect for a timber supply area immediately before the determination of the current allowable annual cut for the timber supply area.

(2) For the purposes of section 63 (1),

(a) the allowable annual cut for a timber supply area is reduced if it is less than the sum of the previous allowable annual cut and the allowable annual cut increase, and

(b) the amount of the reduction is determined by adding the previous allowable annual cut and the allowable annual cut increase and then subtracting the current allowable annual cut.

Date of increase or reduction in allowable annual cut and prorating

63.2   (1) In this section, "increase or reduction" means an increase or reduction in the allowable annual cut authorized under an agreement.

(2) An increase or reduction, made by the minister, chief forester or district manager under a provision of this Act that authorizes him or her to make the increase or decrease but does not specify or provide for a date on which the increase or reduction takes effect, must be made to take effect on either

(a) the date on which the minister, chief forester or district manager, as the case may be, exercises the discretion to increase or reduce the allowable annual cut, or

(b) January 1 of the year following,

whichever of those dates the minister, chief forester or district manager, as the case, may be considers reasonable in the circumstances.

(3) If the Act specifies or provides for a date on which an increase or reduction is to be effective other than January 1 of any year, or an increase or reduction is made to take effect on the date referred to in subsection (2) (a), the allowable annual cut authorized under the agreement for the calendar year of the increase or reduction is the sum, rounded to the nearest whole number, of

(a) the product obtained by multiplying the allowable annual cut before the date of the increase or reduction by the fraction obtained by dividing the number of days elapsed in the current calendar year up to and including that date by 365, and

(b) the product obtained by multiplying the increased or decreased allowable annual cut by the fraction obtained by dividing the number of days remaining in the current calendar year after that date by 365.

Repealed

64-66   [Repealed 2003-30-8.]

Repealed

67   (1) to (3) [Repealed 2003-30-12 (a).]

(4) and (5) [Repealed 2003-30-12 (b).]

Increase: disposition or deletion

68   If the holder of a tree farm licence identifies, in a management plan approved under section 35.2, land within the tree farm licence area that is not required to meet the allowable annual cut and the chief forester determines that

(a) sale of Crown timber on that land would neither affect the licensee's ability to manage the tree farm licence area in accordance with the management plan nor adversely affect other natural resources, Crown timber within the tree farm licence may be disposed of to a person other than the holder of the tree farm licence under

(i) a forestry licence to cut, or

(ii) a timber sale licence entered into under section 20, or

(b) forest management would be improved by doing so, the minister may delete the land from the tree farm licence.

Reduction by chief forester of allowable annual cut

69   (1) If

(a) a tree farm licence specifies, or

(b) the chief forester, in relation to a tree farm licence, specifies under section 8 (5)

that portions of the allowable annual cut for the tree farm licence are to be harvested from different types of timber or terrain in different parts of Crown land or private land within the tree farm licence area or from different areas of Crown land within the tree farm licence area and the holder of the tree farm licence fails to harvest a portion of the allowable annual cut so specified, the chief forester, in a notice served on the holder, may reduce the allowable annual cut available to the holder by a volume equal to the specified portion that was not so harvested.

(2) Crown timber within the tree farm licence area may be disposed of under this Act to persons other than the holder of the tree farm licence under

(a) a forestry licence to cut, or

(b) a timber sale licence

in a volume that does not exceed the reduction under subsection (1).

(3) If a replaceable forest licence provides that part of the allowable annual cut of the licence is to be harvested from a specified part of a licence area, from a specified type of timber or from a specified type of terrain and the holder of the licence fails to comply with that provision, the minister or a person authorized by the minister, in a notice served on its holder, may reduce the allowable annual cut authorized in the licence by a volume equal to the volume that was not so harvested.

Reductions in allowable annual cut

70   (1) In this section, "soil disturbance" has the same meaning as it has under the Forest and Range Practices Act.

(2) In a notice served on the holder of an agreement that is a major licence, a community forest agreement, a first nations woodland licence or a woodlot licence, the chief forester, subject to subsection (3), may reduce the allowable annual cut

(a) available to the holder of the agreement, if the agreement is

(i) a major licence that is a tree farm licence,

(ii) a community forest agreement, or

(iii) a first nations woodland licence, or

(b) for the agreement, if the agreement is

(i) a major licence other than a tree farm licence, or

(ii) a woodlot licence

by an amount not exceeding the volume of timber that the chief forester determines was on an area authorized for harvest under a cutting permit issued under the agreement.

(3) The chief forester may not make a reduction under subsection (2) unless he or she determines that the holder of the agreement, on the area authorized for harvest, caused or allowed soil disturbance in excess of the limits specified in an operational plan that pertains to the cutting permit referred to in subsection (2).

(4) In a notice served on the holder of an agreement that is a major licence, a community forest agreement, a first nations woodland licence or a woodlot licence, the minister, subject to subsection (5), must reduce the allowable annual cut

(a) available to the holder of the agreement, if the agreement is

(i) a major licence that is a tree farm licence,

(ii) a community forest agreement, or

(iii) a first nations woodland licence, or

(b) for the agreement, if the agreement is

(i) a major licence other than a tree farm licence, or

(ii) a woodlot licence

by an amount not exceeding 5% of the volume of timber that the minister determines was on an area authorized for harvest under a cutting permit issued under the agreement.

(5) The minister may not make a reduction under subsection (4) unless he or she determines that the holder of the agreement did not establish a free growing stand as required under the Forest and Range Practices Act.

Repealed

71   [Repealed 2003-30-2.]

Removal of dead or damaged timber

72   (1) In this section, "holder of the licence" means the holder of a timber licence or area-based licence for the area to which a forestry licence to cut, proposed to be entered into under this section, would apply.

(2) The minister may enter into a forestry licence to cut under this section with a person other than the holder of the licence.

(3) A forestry licence to cut referred to in subsection (2) must

(a) be restricted primarily to the harvest of windthrown, dead, damaged, insect infested or diseased timber or special forest products, and

(b) authorize the harvest of a volume of timber or special forest products of less than 2 000 m3.

(4) Before entering into a forestry licence to cut under this section, the minister must serve a notice on the holder of the licence inviting the holder to harvest the timber or special forest products that would otherwise be harvested under the proposed forestry licence to cut.

(5) The minister must include in the notice under subsection (4) a date by which the harvest must be completed, and in determining that date the minister must take into account

(a) the time by which the timber or special forest products must be harvested to prevent them from being significantly reduced in value, lost or destroyed or to minimize the spread of an insect infestation,

(b) any seasonal site conditions or constraints that would limit the harvesting of the timber or special forest products, and

(c) the nature and location of the holder of the licence's operations in the holder's licence area.

(6) To be eligible to harvest the timber or special forest products, the holder of the licence must reply to the minister within 14 days of receiving the notice agreeing to complete the harvest by the date specified in the notice.

(7) If a person to whom a notice under subsection (4) is sent

(a) does not reply and agree, within 14 days of receiving the notice, to harvesting the timber or special forest products, or

(b) replies and agrees, within 14 days of receiving the notice, to harvesting the timber or special forest products but does not do so by the date specified in the notice,

the minister may enter into a forestry licence to cut authorizing the harvesting of some or all of the timber or special forest products, if the minister considers the harvesting will not prevent the person from fulfilling their obligations under this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act or the Wildfire Act.

(8) If a person to whom a notice under subsection (4) is sent replies and agrees within 14 days of receiving the notice to harvest the timber or special forest products but does not do so by the date specified in the notice and as a result timber or special forest products are lost, destroyed or significantly reduced in value, the minister must determine the amount that, in the minister's opinion, would have been harvested if a forestry licence to cut had been entered into under this section.

(9) The amount of timber or special forest products harvested under a forestry licence to cut entered into under this section, or the amount that the minister determines under subsection (8) would have been harvested, is deemed to be harvested under

(a) the tree farm licence or the woodlot licence of the person to whom the notice is sent under subsection (4), for the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in section 75.1,

(b) the community forest agreement of the person to whom the notice is sent under subsection (4), for the purposes of the provisions of the agreement referred to in section 43.3 (1) (f.1), and

(c) the first nations woodland licence of the person to whom the notice is sent under subsection (4), for the purposes of the provisions of the licence referred to in section 43.55 (1) (g) (i).

(10) Subsection (9) does not apply if the amount of timber harvested under the forestry licence to cut has already been attributed to

(a) the tree farm licence or woodlot licence of the person to whom the notice is sent under subsection (4), for the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in section 75.1,

(b) the community forest agreement of the person to whom the notice is sent under subsection (4), for the purposes of the provisions of the agreement referred to in section 43.3 (1) (f.1), and

(c) the first nations woodland licence of the person to whom the notice is sent under subsection (4), for the purposes of the provisions of the licence referred to in section 43.55 (1) (g) (i).

Removal of dead or damaged timber from a timber supply area

73   (1) In this section, "holder of the licence" means the holder of a forest licence for the area to which a forestry licence to cut, proposed to be entered into under this section, would apply.

(2) Section 72 (2) and (3) applies to this section.

(3) Before entering into a forestry licence to cut under this section, the minister must serve a notice on the holder of the licence whose operational plan applies to the area to which the proposed forestry licence to cut would apply, inviting the holder of the licence to harvest the timber or special forest products that would otherwise be harvested under the proposed forestry licence to cut.

(4) The minister must include in the notice under subsection (3) a date by which the harvest must be completed, and in determining that date the minister must take into account

(a) the time by which the timber or special forest products must be harvested to prevent them from being significantly reduced in value, lost or destroyed or to minimize the spread of an insect infestation,

(b) any seasonal site conditions or constraints that would limit the harvesting of the timber or special forest products, and

(c) the nature and location of the holder of the licence's operations in the timber supply area to which the proposed forestry licence to cut would apply.

(5) To be eligible to harvest the timber or special forest products, the holder of the licence must reply to the minister within 14 days of receiving the notice agreeing to complete the harvest by the date specified in the notice.

(6) If a person to whom a notice under subsection (3) is sent

(a) does not reply and agree, within 14 days of receiving the notice, to harvesting the timber or special forest products, or

(b) replies and agrees, within 14 days of receiving the notice, to harvesting the timber or special forest products but does not do so by the date specified in the notice,

the minister may enter into a forestry licence to cut authorizing the harvesting of some or all of the timber or special forest products, if the minister considers the harvesting will not prevent the person from fulfilling their obligations under this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act or the Wildfire Act.

(7) If a person to whom a notice under subsection (3) is sent replies and agrees within 14 days of receiving the notice to harvest the timber or special forest products but does not do so by the date specified in the notice, and as a result timber or special forest products are lost, destroyed or significantly reduced in value, the minister must determine the amount that, in the minister's opinion, would have been harvested if a forestry licence to cut had been entered into under this section.

(8) The amount of timber or special forest products harvested under a forestry licence to cut entered into under this section, or the amount that the minister determines under subsection (7) would have been harvested, is deemed to be harvested under the forest licence of the person to whom the notice is sent under subsection (3) for the purposes of the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in section 75.1.

(9) Subsection (8) does not apply if the amount of timber harvested under the forestry licence to cut has already been attributed to the forest licence of the person to whom a notice is sent under subsection (3) for the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in section 75.1 (1).

Timber cruise

74   (1) The minister, in a notice served on the holder of a timber licence, may require the holder to submit a timber cruise, to a standard required by the minister, of the area of land subject to the licence.

(2) If a timber cruise required under subsection (1) in respect of an area of land

(a) is not submitted when required or, if submitted, discloses no merchantable timber on the area,

(i) a timber licence must not be entered into with respect to the area, and

(ii) an existing timber licence over the area, despite its terms and conditions or this Act, expires on the next anniversary of the day of its issue, or

(b) discloses that a portion of the area is not covered by merchantable timber,

(i) the portion, if the minister so orders, must be surveyed by and at the expense of the holder of the licence, and

(ii) the minister, in a notice served on its holder, may

(A) delete the portion from an existing timber licence over the area, and

(B) exclude the portion from a future timber licence to be entered into for the area.

Compatible use

75   No agreement made under this Act prevents or impedes the government from using, or granting the use of, Crown land for any purpose that the minister considers is compatible with timber harvesting.

Division 3.01 — Allowable Annual Cut Partition

Definitions

75.01   (1) In this Division:

"allowable annual cut partition" means a portion of the allowable annual cut for a timber supply area or tree farm licence area that is specified by the chief forester under section 8 (5);

"base-level allowable annual cut" means the allowable annual cut that is prescribed for the purposes of this Division;

"exempted licence" means a forest licence that

(a) specifies an allowable annual cut that is less than the base-level allowable annual cut, or

(b) is a non-replaceable forest licence that meets prescribed conditions;

"harvested volume" means,

(a) in relation to a licence to which a limit specified in an order made under section 75.02 applies to the licence, the volume, as determined in accordance with the regulations, of the partitioned timber that is harvested under that licence, or

(b) in relation to 2 or more licences held by the same person to which a limit specified in an order made under section 75.02 applies to the licences, the sum of the volume, as determined in accordance with the regulations, of the partitioned timber that is harvested under each of those licences;

"partitioned timber", in relation to an allowable annual cut partition, means the timber that is subject to the allowable annual cut partition.

(2) [Repealed 2016-11-13.]

Partition order

75.02   (1) In subsections (2) and (3), "forest licence" means a forest licence that is not an exempted licence.

(2) If the chief forester specifies an allowable annual cut partition for a timber supply area, the minister, by order, may, if he or she considers it necessary to ensure the attribution specified in the partition is carried out, specify a limit on the harvested volume for one or more forest licences in the timber supply area in respect of one or more of the following:

(a) a type of timber or terrain in parts of Crown land within the timber supply area;

(b) different areas of Crown land within the timber supply area.

(3) If the chief forester specifies an allowable annual cut partition for a tree farm licence area, the minister, by order, may, if he or she considers it necessary to ensure the attribution specified in the partition is carried out, specify a limit on the harvested volume for

(a) the tree farm licence, in respect of one or more of the following:

(i) a type of timber or terrain in parts of Crown land within the tree farm licence area;

(ii) different areas of Crown land within the tree farm licence area;

(iii) a type of timber or terrain in different parts of private land within the tree farm licence area, and

(b) one or more forest licences in the tree farm licence area, in respect of one or more of the following:

(i) a type of timber or terrain in parts of Crown land within the tree farm licence area;

(ii) different areas of Crown land within the tree farm licence area.

(3.1) In making an order under subsection (2) or (3) (b), the minister may specify one limit that applies in relation to 2 or more forest licences held by the same person.

(3.2) For greater certainty, if the minister specifies one limit that applies to 2 or more forest licences, as described in subsection (3.1), the person who is the holder of the forest licences may harvest any portion, including all or nothing, of the harvested volume under any of the forest licences that are subject to the limit.

(4) A limit specified under this section on the harvested volume for one or more forest licences or for a tree farm licence must be determined in accordance with the regulations.

(4.1) In determining a limit under this section on the harvested volume for one or more forest licences or for a tree farm licence, the minister may take into consideration the volume of partitioned timber harvested under the applicable licence or licences since the date the allowable annual cut partition took effect.

(5) An order made under this section must specify

(a) a term not exceeding 10 years,

(b) the allowable annual cut partition relating to the order, and

(c) the harvested volume limit that each licence holder affected by the order may not exceed during the term of the order.

(6) The minister must serve a copy of an order made under this section on the holder of one or more licences to which the order relates, but the order is not invalid only because it is not served.

(7) Subject to an amendment or cancellation under subsection (8) or an increase or waiver under section 75.03, the holder of a licence to which a limit specified in an order made under this section applies must ensure that,

(a) if the limit is specified for one licence, the harvested volume under the licence does not exceed the harvested volume limit specified for that licence in the order, and

(b) if the limit is specified for 2 or more licences held by the same person, the harvested volume under those licences does not exceed the harvested volume limit specified for those licences in the order.

(8) If, under section 8 (5.1), the allowable annual cut partition relating to an order made under this section

(a) is amended, the minister may amend the order if the minister considers it necessary to ensure the attribution specified in the partition is carried out, or

(b) is cancelled, the order is cancelled on the same date the partition is cancelled.

Increase or waiver of harvested volume limit in order

75.03   (1) On request of the holder of one or more licences to which an order made under section 75.02 applies, the minister may increase or waive the harvested volume limit specified for that licence or licences if the minister is satisfied that the reasons for the increase or waiver meet prescribed criteria.

(2) A request under subsection (1) must

(a) be signed by, or on behalf of, the requesting person, and

(b) specify the reasons for the request.

Consolidation, subdivision or replacement of licences subject to an order

75.04   (1) In this section, "original licence" means a forest licence or tree farm licence to which an order made under section 75.02 applies.

(2) If an original licence is replaced under section 19 or 39 by 2 or more other licences, the harvested volume that, before the replacement, was charged to the original licence must be charged to the other licences by allocating that volume among the other licences by the method set out in subsection (3).

(3) The part of the harvested volume to be allocated among each of the other licences must be determined by multiplying that volume by the fraction obtained by dividing the allowable annual cut of that other licence by the allowable annual cut of the original licence.

(4) If 2 or more licences are replaced under section 19 or 39 by one other licence, the harvested volume that, before the replacement, was charged to the original licences must be charged to the other licence.

(5) The minister must amend an order made under section 75.02 to account for an allocation of volume under subsection (2) of this section or a charging of volume under subsection (4) of this section.

(6) If an original licence is a forest licence that is replaced by another forest licence under section 15 or if an original licence is a tree farm licence that is replaced by another tree farm licence under section 36,

(a) the harvested volume that, before the replacement, was charged to the original licence must be charged to the replacement licence, and

(b) the order made under section 75.02 in respect of the original licence applies to the replacement licence as if the replacement licence were the original licence.

Penalty for non-compliance with minister's order

75.05   (1) If the harvested volume limit specified for one or more licences in an order made under section 75.02 is exceeded, the licence holder must pay to the government the penalty determined under subsection (2) of this section.

(2) The penalty under subsection (1) is the product of

(a) the volume of harvested timber that exceeds the harvested volume limit, and

(b) the prescribed rate.

(3) A penalty under this section is in addition to stumpage payable or another penalty under this Act or another enactment.

Relief from penalty

75.06   (1) On the request of a licence holder who is subject to a penalty imposed under section 75.05, the minister may grant relief, in whole or in part, from the penalty if the minister is satisfied that the reasons for the relief meet prescribed criteria.

(2) A request under subsection (1) must

(a) be submitted within 90 days after the date the penalty is imposed under section 75.05 (1),

(b) be signed by, or on behalf of, the requesting person, and

(c) specify the reasons for the request.

Regulation making powers

75.07   (1) Without limiting Division 3 of Part 12, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations as follows:

(a) prescribing the allowable annual cut referred to in the definition of "base-level allowable annual cut" in section 75.01;

(b) prescribing conditions for the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of "exempted licence" in section 75.01;

(c) for the purpose of the definition of "harvested volume" in section 75.01 (1), specifying the rules, methods, formulas or requirements for determining the harvested volume, including, without limitation, requiring the holder of one or more licences to which an order under section 75.02 applies to make assessments of the partitioned timber;

(d) specifying the criteria, circumstances, rules, methods or formulas to be used to determine limits on harvested volume under section 75.02;

(e) prescribing criteria for increasing or waiving a harvested volume limit for the purposes of section 75.03;

(f) prescribing penalty rates for the purposes of section 75.05;

(g) prescribing criteria for relief from penalty for the purposes of section 75.06.

(2) [Repealed 2016-11-18.]

(3) A rate prescribed under subsection (1) (f) may be different for different portions of the volume referred to in section 75.05 (2) (a).

Division 3.1 — Cut Control

Interpretation

75.1   (1) In this Division:

"cut control period" in relation to a licence, means the cut control period determined for that licence under section 75.4 or 75.5;

"volume of timber harvested", in relation to each licence as defined in a provision of this Division, means the total of the timber volumes that are attributed to the licence

(a) in cut control statements issued on behalf of the government to the holder of the licence, or

(b) under the authority of a regulation made under subsection (3) (b) or (c),

for

(c) the term of the licence, if it is a licence as defined in section 75.2 or 75.21, or

(d) the cut control period for the licence, if it is not a licence as defined in section 75.2 or 75.21,

less all downward adjustments to those volumes to which the holder of the licence is entitled under subsection (3) of this section.

(2) In the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in subsection (1), "timber volumes" means the following volumes:

(a) if the timber volume is reported by scale under Part 6 of the Act,

(i) the volume of timber cut under the licence and under road permits associated with the licence, and

(ii) the volume of timber estimated to be wasted or damaged under the licence and under road permits associated with the licence;

(b) if the timber volume is calculated using information from a cruise of the timber before the timber is cut, the volume of timber calculated to have been cut under the licence and under road permits associated with the licence;

(c) the volume of timber cut, damaged or destroyed by the holder of the licence without authorization;

(d) the volume of timber attributed to the licence by the minister under the authority of a regulation made under subsection (3) (b) or (c);

(e) except for a licence as defined in section 75.2 or 75.21, the excess volume of timber, if any, carried forward under section 75.7 from the immediately preceding cut control period.

(3) For the purposes of the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in subsection (1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations

(a) prescribing percentages or amounts by which the timber volumes attributed to a licence in statements referred to in that definition must be, subject to an applicable limit set out in an order issued under a regulation made under paragraph (a.1), adjusted downward to take into account

(i) grades and species of timber, or

(ii) uses of timber

included in the volumes described in subsection (2) (a) and (b),

(a.1) with respect to percentages prescribed under paragraph (a), authorizing the minister, subject to any terms specified in the regulation, to set, by order respecting an area, a limit on one or both of the following amounts:

(i) the aggregate volume of downward adjustments that may be made to one or more types of licences in the area;

(ii) the volume of downward adjustment that may be made to a licence or type of licence specified in the order,

(b) authorizing the minister, in specified circumstances and with the consent of the licensees, to attribute a portion of the volume of timber harvested under any type of licence, as defined in a provision of this Division, to another licence as so defined, whether of the same or a different type, and

(c) authorizing the minister, in specified circumstances and with the consent of the licensee, to attribute a portion of the volume of timber harvested under the licence in a cut control period to the immediately preceding cut control period.

(3.1) If the minister is authorized to make an order under authority of a regulation made under subsection (3) (a.1), the order made under that authority must set out the following:

(a) the area for which the order is made;

(b) the licence or type of licence to which the order applies;

(c) the time period during which the limit applies;

(d) the grade and species of timber, or the uses of timber, to which the order applies.

(3.2) An order made under authority of a regulation made under subsection (3) (a.1) must be published by posting the order on a publicly accessible website maintained by or on behalf of the government.

(4) A percentage prescribed under subsection (3) (a) for a grade or species of timber may be any percentage within the range of 0% to 100%.

Exception for licences that define "volume of timber harvested"

75.11   (1) If a licence, as defined in a provision of this Division,

(a) provides that the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in section 75.1 (1) does not apply to the licence, and

(b) contains a different definition that is specific to the licence,

that different definition applies to that licence for the purposes of this Division instead of the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in section 75.1 (1).

(2) For the purposes of a definition of "volume of timber harvested" included in a licence referred to in subsection (1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations

(a) authorizing the minister, in specified circumstances and with the consent of the licensees, to attribute a portion of the volume of timber harvested under any type of licence, as defined in a provision of this Division, to another licence as so defined, whether of the same or a different type, and

(b) authorizing the minister, in specified circumstances and with the consent of the licensee, to attribute a portion of the volume of timber harvested under the licence in a cut control period to the immediately preceding cut control period.

Bonus bid equalization payment for attributed timber volumes

75.12   (1) The holder of a licence for which a bonus bid was tendered must pay an amount to the government, in accordance with the regulations, if

(a) a volume of timber harvested under another licence is attributed to the holder's licence under the authority of a regulation made under section 75.1 (3) (b) or 75.11 (2) (a), and

(b) the bonus bid that was tendered for the holder's licence is higher than the bonus bid, if any, that was tendered for the licence under which the attributed volume was harvested.

(2) Without limiting Division 3 of Part 12, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting payments required under subsection (1), including, without limitation,

(a) the criteria, circumstances, rules, methods or formulas to be used in calculating the amount payable,

(b) the time period within which the amount must be paid, and

(c) the form and manner of payment.

Limit on total cut for licences with a term of 5 years or less

75.2   (1) In this section, "licence" means a

(a) timber sale licence that specifies an allowable annual cut,

(b) forest licence,

(c) tree farm licence, or

(d) woodlot licence

originally having a term ending 5 years or less after its commencement date.

(2) The holder of a licence must ensure that the volume of timber harvested during the term of the licence does not exceed a limit equal to the sum of the allowable annual cuts

(a) authorized for the licence if it is a forest licence, timber sale licence or woodlot licence, or

(b) available to the holder under the licence if it is a tree farm licence

for the period of the original term of the licence.

(2.1) The holder of a licence must ensure that the volume of timber harvested under the licence does not exceed the maximum harvestable volume specified in the licence.

(2.2) If compliance with subsection (2) is inconsistent with compliance with subsection (2.1), subsection (2.1) prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

(3) If the volume of timber harvested during the term of a licence exceeds the applicable limit under subsection (2) or the limit under subsection (2.1), the holder of the licence must pay to the government the penalty determined under subsection (4).

(4) The penalty under subsection (3) is the product of

(a) the volume of timber harvested during the term of the licence that exceeds the applicable limit under subsection (2) or the limit under subsection (2.1), and

(b) the prescribed rate.

(5) A penalty under this section is in addition to stumpage payable or another penalty under this Act or another enactment.

Limit on total cut for forestry licence to cut

75.21   (1) [Repealed 2021-38-40.]

(2) The holder of a forestry licence to cut must ensure that the volume of timber harvested under the forestry licence to cut does not exceed the maximum harvestable volume specified in the forestry licence to cut.

(3) If the volume of timber harvested under a forestry licence to cut exceeds the limit specified in subsection (2), the holder of the forestry licence to cut must pay to the government the penalty determined under subsection (4).

(4) The penalty under subsection (3) is the product of

(a) the volume of timber harvested under the forestry licence to cut that exceeds the limit referred to in subsection (2), and

(b) the prescribed rate.

(5) A penalty under this section is in addition to stumpage payable or another penalty under this Act or another enactment.

Cut control period for short term licences that are extended

75.22   (1) In this section, "licence" means a forest licence originally having a term ending 5 years or less after its commencement date.

(2) On the date the term of a licence is extended under section 47.3 (3) (b) beyond 5 years from the commencement date,

(a) if the licence specifies an allowable annual cut greater than 10 000 m3, section 75.4 (2) to (7) applies to the licence,

(b) if the licence specifies an allowable annual cut of 10 000 m3 or less, section 75.5 (2) to (5) applies to the licence, and

(c) the first cut control period for a licence described in paragraph (a) or (b) as determined under section 75.4 (2) or 75.5 (2), as the case may be, is based on the commencement date of the term of the licence.

Reconciliation of cut control for short term licences

75.3   (1) In this section, "licence" means a licence that is a forest licence, woodlot licence or tree farm licence and has a term of 5 years or less.

(2) If a licence is replaced under section 19 or 39 by 2 or more other licences,

(a) each of the other licences, for the purposes of section 75.2, is deemed to have begun on the first day of the term of the replaced licence, and

(b) the volume of timber harvested that, before the replacement, was charged to the replaced licence must be charged to the other licences by allocating that volume among the other licences by the method set out in subsection (3).

(3) The part of the volume of timber harvested referred to in subsection (2) (b) to be allocated among each of the other licences must be determined by multiplying that volume by the fraction obtained by dividing the allowable annual cut of that other licence by the allowable annual cut of the replaced licence.

(4) If 2 or more licences are replaced under section 19, 39 or 46.2 by one other licence,

(a) the term of that other licence, for the purposes of section 75.2, is deemed to have begun

(i) on the first day of the terms of the replaced licences, if their terms began on the same day, or

(ii) on the earliest of the dates on which the any of the terms of the replaced licences began, if their terms began on different dates, and

(b) the volumes that before the replacement were charged to the replaced licences must be charged to that other licence.

Cut control period for major licences

75.4   (1) In this section and in section 75.41 "licence" means

(a) a forest licence that specifies an allowable annual cut greater than 10 000 m3 and has a term of more than 5 years,

(a.1) a woodlot licence that has a term of more than 5 years, or

(b) [Repealed 2007-18-41.]

(c) a tree farm licence that has a term of more than 5 years.

(2) The first cut control period for a licence, other than a woodlot licence, that is not a replacement for another licence is 5 years beginning on January 1 of the calendar year in which the term of the licence begins.

(2.1) The first cut control period for a licence that is a woodlot licence, and is not a replacement for another woodlot licence, is 5 years beginning on

(a) the first day of a month designated by the minister, or

(b) if the minister does not designate a month under paragraph (a), January 1

of the calendar year in which the term of the woodlot licence begins.

(3) For a licence that is a replacement under section 15, 36 or 46 for another licence,

(a) the first cut control period is the same as the cut control period for the replaced licence, immediately before its replacement, and

(b) the volume of timber harvested that, before the replacement, was charged to the replaced licence must be charged to the replacement licence.

(4) The holder of a licence, other than a woodlot licence, may terminate

(a) the first cut control period for the licence, and

(b) any subsequent cut control period determined under this section,

by written notice, delivered after January 1 and before June 30 of the calendar year of delivery, to a person designated by the minister.

(4.1) The holder of a licence that is a woodlot licence may terminate

(a) the first cut control period for the licence, and

(b) any subsequent cut control period for the licence determined under this section

by written notice to a person designated by the minister, delivered between the last anniversary date of the beginning of the cut control period for the licence and 6 months after that date.

(5) If the holder of a licence, other than a woodlot licence, terminates a cut control period under subsection (4),

(a) the termination takes effect on December 31 of the year immediately preceding the calendar year of delivery of the notice of termination, and

(b) a new cut control period of 5 years for the agreement begins on January 1 of the calendar year of delivery of the notice of termination.

(5.1) If the holder of a licence that is a woodlot licence terminates a cut control period under subsection (4.1),

(a) the termination takes effect on the day immediately preceding the last anniversary date of the beginning of the cut control period for the licence, and

(b) a new cut control period of 5 years for the licence begins on the last anniversary date.

(6) If the holder of a licence who under subsection (4) or (4.1) may terminate the cut control period for the licence does not do so, then, immediately after the expiry of that cut control period, a new cut control period of 5 years for the licence begins.

(7) If a licence

(a) expires or is surrendered, or

(b) is terminated under this Act,

the cut control period for the licence ends on the date the licence expires, is surrendered or is terminated despite any thing to the contrary in this Division.

Cut control limit for major licences

75.41   (1) The holder of a licence, other than a woodlot licence, must ensure that the volume of timber harvested during its cut control period does not exceed 110% of the sum of the allowable annual cuts

(a) authorized for the licence for that period if it is a forest licence, or

(b) available to the holder under the licence for that period if it is a tree farm licence.

(1.1) The holder of a licence that is a woodlot licence must ensure that the volume of timber harvested during its cut control period does not exceed 120% of the sum of the allowable annual cuts that for that period are authorized for the licence.

(2) Despite subsection (1) or (1.1), the holder of a licence must ensure that the volume of timber harvested during its final cut control period does not exceed 100% of the sum of the allowable annual cuts for that period that are

(a) authorized for the licence if it is a forest licence or woodlot licence, or

(b) available to the holder under the licence if it is a tree farm licence.

(3) The holder of a licence that provides that a replacement for it must not be offered must ensure that the volume of timber harvested under the licence does not exceed the maximum harvestable volume specified in the licence.

(4) If compliance with subsection (1), (1.1) or (2) is inconsistent with compliance with subsection (3), subsection (3) prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

Cut control period for other licences

75.5   (1) In this section and in section 75.51:

"forest licence" means a forest licence that specifies an allowable annual cut of 10 000 m3 or less and has a term of more than 5 years;

"timber sale licence" means a timber sale licence that specifies an allowable annual cut of 10 000 m3 or less and has a term of more than 5 years.

(2) The first cut control period

(a) for a forest licence that is not a replacement under section 15 for another forest licence, or

(b) for a timber sale licence

is 5 years beginning on January 1 of the calendar year in which the term of the licence begins.

(3) [Repealed 2007-18-44.]

(3.1) For a forest licence that is a replacement under section 15 for another forest licence,

(a) the first cut control period is the same as the cut control period for the replaced licence, immediately before its replacement, and

(b) the volume of timber harvested that, before the replacement, was charged to the replaced licence must be charged to the replacement licence.

(4) Immediately after the expiry of the first cut control period, or any subsequent cut control period, for a forest licence or timber sale licence, a new 5 year cut control period for the licence begins.

(5) If a forest licence or timber sale licence

(a) expires or is surrendered, or

(b) is terminated under any provision of this Act,

the cut control period for the licence ends on the date the licence expires, is surrendered or is terminated despite any thing to the contrary in this Division.

Cut control limit for other licences

75.51   (1) The holder of a timber sale licence or forest licence must ensure that the volume of timber harvested during a cut control period for the licence is not more than 120% of the sum of the allowable annual cuts for that period that are authorized for the licence.

(2) Despite subsection (1), the holder of a timber sale licence or forest licence must ensure that the volume of timber harvested during the final cut control period for the licence is not more than 100% of the sum of the allowable annual cuts for that period that are authorized for the licence.

(3) The holder of

(a) a timber sale licence, or

(b) a forest licence

(c) [Repealed 2007-18-45.]

that provides that a replacement for it must not be offered must ensure that the volume of timber harvested under the licence does not exceed the maximum harvestable volume specified in the licence.

(4) If compliance with subsection (1) or (2) is inconsistent with compliance with subsection (3), subsection (3) prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

Reconciliation of cut control for major and other licences

75.6   (1) In this section, "licence" means

(a) a licence as defined in section 75.4, excluding a woodlot licence, or

(b) a forest licence as defined in section 75.5.

(2) If a licence is replaced under section 19 or 39 by 2 or more other licences,

(a) the first cut control period for each of the other licences is deemed to have begun on the same day on which the latest cut control period for the replaced licence began, and

(b) the volume of timber harvested that, before the replacement, was charged to the replaced licence during its latest cut control period must be charged to the other licences by allocating that volume among the other licences during their first cut control period by the method set out in subsection (3).

(3) The part of the volume of timber harvested referred to in subsection (2) (b) to be allocated among each of the other licences must be determined by multiplying that volume by the fraction obtained by dividing the allowable annual cut of that other licence by the allowable annual cut of the replaced licence.

(4) If 2 or more licences are replaced under section 19 or 39 by one other licence,

(a) the cut control periods for the replaced licences are deemed to have ended on December 31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year of the replacement,

(b) the first cut control period for the other licence begins on January 1 of the calendar year of the replacement, and

(c) the following must be charged to the first cut control period of that other licence:

(i) the volume of timber harvested that was charged to the replaced licences during the calendar year of the replacement;

(ii) the volume of timber harvested that exceeded the volume that was authorized for, or available to the holders of, the replaced licences for the immediately preceding cut control periods.

Reconciliation of cut control for woodlot licences

75.61   (1) In this section, "licence" means a woodlot licence as described in paragraph (a.1) of the definition of "licence" in section 75.4 (1).

(2) If 2 licences are replaced under section 46.2 by one other licence,

(a) the cut control periods for the replaced licences are deemed to have ended on

(i) the day immediately preceding the last anniversary date of the beginning of the cut control periods for the replaced licences, if the anniversary date of their cut control periods is the same, or

(ii) the earlier of the days immediately preceding the last anniversary dates of the beginning of the cut control periods for the replaced licences, if the anniversary dates of their cut control periods are different,

(b) the first cut control period for the other licence begins on

(i) the last anniversary date of the beginning of the cut control periods for the replaced licences, if the anniversary date of their cut control periods is the same, or

(ii) the earlier of the last anniversary dates of the beginning of the cut control periods for the replaced licences, if the anniversary dates of their cut control periods are different, and

(c) the following must be charged to the first cut control period of that other licence:

(i) the volume of timber harvested that was charged to the replaced licences from the last anniversary date of the beginning of the cut control periods for the replaced licences to the date of the replacement;

(ii) the volume of timber harvested that exceeded the volume that was authorized for the replaced licences for the immediately preceding cut control periods.

Carry forward of excess harvest volume

75.7   If the volume of timber harvested during a cut control period for a licence, as defined in section 75.4, a forest licence, as defined in section 75.5, or a timber sale licence, as defined in section 75.5, exceeds the sum of the allowable annual cuts

(a) authorized for the licence for that period if it is a forest licence, timber sale licence or woodlot licence, or

(b) available to the holder under the licence for that period if it is a tree farm licence,

the excess volume of timber must be treated as being timber harvested during a cut period that is the next cut control period.

No carry forward of unharvested volume

75.8   (1) If the volume of timber harvested during a cut control period for a licence, as defined in section 75.4, a forest licence, as defined in section 75.5, or a timber sale licence, as defined in section 75.5, is less than the sum of the allowable annual cuts

(a) authorized for the licence for that period if it is a forest licence, timber sale licence or woodlot licence, or

(b) available to the holder for that period under the licence if it is a tree farm licence,

the holder of the licence must not harvest that unharvested volume of timber in a subsequent cut control period.

(2) The unharvested volume of timber, referred to in subsection (1), in a tree farm licence area or woodlot licence area may be disposed of to a person other than the holder of the tree farm licence or woodlot licence by means of

(a) a forestry licence to cut,

(b) a timber sale licence under section 20, or

(c) a non-replaceable forest licence.

Exemption from cut control limits

75.9   (1) If the minister considers that timber on Crown land or other forest resources on Crown land is at risk because of wind, fire, insect or disease, he or she

(a) may exempt the holder of a licence, as defined in section 75.4, a forest licence, as defined in section 75.5, or a timber sale licence, as defined in section 75.5, from the limit under section 75.41 or 75.51, as the case may be, and

(b) in granting the exemption must specify a different limit and may attach conditions to the exemption.

(2) The holder of a licence who is exempted under this section must comply with a condition of the exemption.

Penalty for exceeding cut control limits

75.91   (1) If the volume of timber harvested during a cut control period for a licence, as defined in section 75.4, a forest licence, as defined in section 75.5, or a timber sale licence, as defined in section 75.5, exceeds

(a) the limit under section 75.41 or 75.51, as the case may be, or

(b) the limit specified under section 75.9,

the holder of the licence must pay to the government the penalty determined under subsection (2).

(2) The penalty under subsection (1) is the product of

(a) the volume of timber harvested during the cut control period that exceeds the applicable limit referred to in subsection (1), and

(b) the prescribed rate.

(3) A penalty under this section is in addition to stumpage payable or another penalty under this Act or another enactment.

Relief

75.92   If the allowable annual cut

(a) authorized for a forest licence, a timber sale licence that specifies an allowable annual cut or woodlot licence, or

(b) available to the holder of a tree farm licence,

is reduced under section 8, 9, 61, 63, 173, 185, 202 or 273 or Part 18, the minister or a person authorized by the minister may grant to the holder of the licence full or partial relief from the penalty under section 75.2 or 75.91.

Transitional — cut control

75.93   (1) A 5 year cut control period that was in effect in the period beginning on January 1, 2003 and ending on November 3, 2003, in this section called the "original cut control period",

(a) under a forest licence or timber sale licence that provides that a replacement for it must not be offered,

(b) for a licence as defined in section 75.4 that does not so provide,

(c) for a forest licence as defined in section 75.5 that does not so provide,

(d) for a timber sale licence as defined in section 75.5 that does not so provide, or

(e) for a woodlot licence as defined in section 75.5 that does not so provide,

is deemed for the purposes of this Division to be the first cut control period for the licence, in this section called the "first cut control period", having the same beginning date as the original cut control period.

(2) A volume of timber that under section 65 of this Act immediately before the repeal of that section by the Forest (Revitalization) Amendment Act, 2003 was deemed to be timber harvested in the original cut control period is deemed to be timber harvested in the first cut control period, without regard to any direction, as to amount of volume each year, under section 65 (5) before its repeal.

(3) A volume of timber that is referred to in a forest licence or timber sale licence, and is treated in the licence as timber harvested in the original cut control period, is deemed, for the purposes of this Division, to be timber harvested in the first cut control period, if the licence

(a) provides that a replacement for the licence must not be offered, and

(b) was in effect in the period beginning on January 1, 2003 and ending on November 3, 2003.

(4) If, after December 31, 2002, any provisions of

(a) a timber sale licence described in subsection (1), or

(b) a forest licence described in subsection (1)

that pertain to cut control conflict or are inconsistent with this Division, this Division prevails.

(5) Section 75.2 applies to a licence as defined in section 75.2 (1) if the licence was in effect in the period beginning on January 1, 2003 and ending on November 3, 2003.

Transitional — carry forward

75.94   (1) In this section:

"first cut control period", in relation to a licence, means the first cut control period under this Division for that licence;

"licence" means a licence, as defined in section 75.4, a forest licence, as defined in section 75.5 or a woodlot licence, as defined in section 75.5.

(2) A volume of timber that, before the repeal of section 67 of this Act by the Forest (Revitalization) Amendment Act, 2003, was the subject of an approval under section 67 (4) granted to the holder of a licence, is approved for harvesting in the first cut control period.

(3) A restriction under section 67 (4), as it was before its repeal, on volume of timber permitted to be harvested each year is without effect.

(4) Subject to subsections (5) and (6) of this section, an approval referred to in section 67 (4) may be granted under that provision, as if section 67 had not been repealed, in respect of a 5 year cut control period that ended before January 1, 2003, to the holder of a licence if

(a) no previous approval under section 67 (4) has been granted in respect of that 5 year cut control period, and

(b) the holder applies in writing before July 1, 2003 to the minister or a person authorized by the minister for the approval.

(5) An approval authorized under subsection (4) may not restrict the volume that may be harvested in any year of the first cut control period.

(6) The volume of timber that is the subject of an approval authorized under subsection (2) or (4) and granted to the holder of a licence

(a) must be harvested in the first cut control period for the licence, and

(b) for the purposes of the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in section 75.1 is deemed not to be charged to the licence.

Transitional — volume of timber harvested

75.95   (1) This section applies only to a licence, as defined in a provision of this Division, that

(a) is in effect immediately before the date this subsection comes into force, or

(b) is entered into on or after the date this subsection comes into force without a provision that the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in section 75.1 (1) does not apply to the licence.

(2) If the minister considers that

(a) a licence to which this section applies includes provisions respecting the quality and quantity of the timber

(i) cut, or

(ii) subject to waste assessment

under the licence and under road permits associated with the licence, and

(b) those provisions require a greater volume of timber to be attributed to the licence than would be attributed to it under the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in section 75.1 (1),

the minister by order may impose for that licence a definition of "volume of timber harvested" that is specific to that licence and that reflects the greater volume referred to in paragraph (b).

(3) A licence to which this section applies and that is the subject of an order under subsection (2) is deemed to have been amended on the date of the order to include the definition of "volume of timber harvested" imposed for the licence by that order.

(4) If a licence to which this section applies is amended under subsection (3), the definition of "volume of timber harvested" imposed for the licence under this section applies for the purposes of this Division instead of the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in section 75.1 (1).

(5) For the purposes of a definition of "volume of timber harvested" imposed for a licence by order under subsection (2), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations authorizing the regional manager or district manager, in specified circumstances and with the consent of the licensee, to attribute a portion of the volume of timber harvested under the licence in a cut control period to the immediately preceding cut control period.

Transitional — woodlot licence cut control and carry forward

75.96   (1) In this section, "original cut control period" means the cut control period that, under section 75.5 (3), (3.1) or (4), was in effect for a woodlot licence immediately before the repeal of section 75.5 (3) by the Forests and Range Statutes Amendment Act, 2007.

(2) The original cut control period for the woodlot licence is deemed to be the first cut control period under section 75.4 (2.1) having the same beginning date as the original cut control period.

(3) A volume of timber harvested under the woodlot licence in the original cut control period is deemed to be timber harvested in the first cut control period under section 75.4 (2.1).

(4) A volume of timber that was deemed to be timber harvested in the original cut control period under section 75.7 or 75.93 (2) is deemed to be harvested in the first cut control period for the woodlot licence under section 75.4 (2.1).

(5) A volume of timber approved in accordance with section 75.94 for harvesting under the woodlot licence in the original cut control period

(a) is approved for harvesting in the first cut control period under section 75.4 (2.1),

(b) may be harvested only in the first cut control period under section 75.4 (2.1), and

(c) is, for the purposes of the definition of "volume of timber harvested" in section 75.1, not charged to the woodlot licence.

Division 4 — Suspension and Cancellation

Suspension of rights

76   (0.1) In this section, "agreement" does not include a BC timber sales agreement.

(1) In addition to any penalty, charge or order under this Act or the Forest and Range Practices Act, the minister may suspend, in whole or in part, rights under an agreement if its holder

(a) made a material misrepresentation, omission or misstatement of fact in the application for the agreement or in information provided in the application,

(b) made a material misrepresentation, omission or misstatement of fact in an operational plan,

(c) did not perform an obligation to be performed under the agreement, other than an obligation described in section 14 (1) (g.1), 43.3 (1) (g.1), 43.55 (1) (h), 45 (1) (f.1) or 47.7 (g), or

(d) failed to comply with the requirements under this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act or the Wildfire Act.

(1.1) In addition to any penalty, charge or order under this Act or the Forest and Range Practices Act, the minister may suspend, in whole or in part, rights under

(a) a forest licence if there is a contravention of the condition described in section 14 (1) (g.1),

(b) [Repealed 2015-26-18.]

(c) a community forest agreement if there is a contravention of the condition described in section 43.3 (1) (g.1),

(c.01) a first nations woodland licence if there is a contravention of the condition described in section 43.55 (1) (h),

(c.1) [Repealed 2021-38-42.]

(d) a woodlot licence if there is a contravention of the condition described in section 45 (1) (f.1), or

(e) a forestry licence to cut if there is a contravention of the condition described in section 47.7 (g).

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the minister may suspend, in whole or in part, rights under a major licence or woodlot licence that is replaceable, if its holder fails to comply with a requirement to establish a free growing stand, as defined in the Forest and Range Practices Act, imposed on the holder under that Act in respect of a major licence or woodlot licence that is non-replaceable.

(3) Before rights are suspended under subsection (1) or (2), the minister must serve a notice on the holder of the agreement specifying the reason for the suspension of rights and a date, at least 5 days after the date of service, on which the suspension takes effect.

(3.1) Before rights are suspended under subsection (1.1), the minister must serve notice on the holder of the agreement

(a) stating the particulars of the holder's non-compliance with the agreement between the first nation and the government referred to in section 14 (1) (g.1), 43.3 (1) (g.1), 43.55 (1) (h), 45 (1) (f.1) or 47.7 (g), as the case may be, and

(b) specifying a date, at least 5 days after the date of service, on which the suspension takes effect.

(4) A suspension of rights takes effect on the date specified in the notice and continues until the rights are reinstated by the minister or cancelled under this Act.

(5) The minister, on request of the holder, must allow the holder an opportunity to be heard and must rescind the notice if he or she considers that the holder is not subject to subsection (1).

(6) The minister, on application of the holder, must reinstate rights suspended under this section if the holder is performing the holder's obligations and is complying with this Act and the regulations.

Cancellation

77   (1) If rights under an agreement are under suspension under section 76 (1) or (2), the minister may cancel the agreement.

(1.1) If rights under an agreement are under suspension under section 76 (1.1), the minister may cancel the agreement or a road use permit granted for the agreement to the holder of the agreement.

(2) At least 3 months before cancelling an agreement or road use permit the minister must serve on its holder a written notice of cancellation specifying the grounds of cancellation and the day on which cancellation takes effect.

(3) If within 30 days after a notice of cancellation has been served the holder so requests, the minister must give the holder an opportunity to be heard.

(4) A notice of cancellation may be rescinded or the day on which a cancellation takes effect may be postponed.

(5) Notice of a cancellation must be published in the Gazette.

(6) If the minister cancels a road permit under subsection (1), the minister may specify the date by which a road authorized under the permit must be deactivated.

BC timber sales — disqualification, suspension and cancellation

78   (1) By notice served on a person, the timber sales manager, in addition to any other action that may be taken under this Act, may do any or all of the following, if any of the criteria referred to in subsection (2) are met:

(a) disqualify the person, indefinitely or for a specified period, from being registered as a BC timber sales enterprise;

(b) disqualify the person from making an application under Part 3 for a BC timber sales agreement, either in person or through an agent, for a period not exceeding 2 years beginning on the date of the notice;

(c) suspend, in whole or in part, rights in any BC timber sales agreements held by the person;

(d) cancel any BC timber sales agreements held by the person.

(2) The timber sales manager may take an action under subsection (1) against a person if satisfied that the person

(a) has made a material misrepresentation, omission or misstatement of fact in

(i) an application for registration as a BC timber sales enterprise under the regulations or in information furnished with the application, or

(ii) an application for a BC timber sales agreement or in information furnished with the application,

(b) has not performed an obligation of the person under a BC timber sales agreement, or

(c) has not complied with

(i) this Act or a regulation made under this Act,

(ii) the Forest and Range Practices Act or a regulation or standard made under that Act,

(ii.1) the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act or a regulation made under that Act, or

(iii) the Wildfire Act or a regulation under that Act.

(3) The timber sales manager may impose conditions with which a person referred to in subsection (1) (a) to (c) must comply before a disqualification or suspension under subsection (1) is rescinded.

(4) Despite subsection (1), the timber sales manager must disqualify a person, indefinitely or for a specified period, from being registered as a BC timber sales enterprise if the person

(a) is the successful applicant for a BC timber sales agreement and does not enter into the agreement, or

(b) is the holder of a BC timber sales agreement that has been cancelled because the person did not comply with the agreement.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations

(a) specifying periods of disqualification that may differ for different circumstances set out in the regulations, and

(b) authorizing the timber sales manager to determine, on a case-by-case basis, within prescribed limits and according to prescribed criteria, the period of disqualification.

BC timber sales — minister's powers of suspension and cancellation

78.1   (1) By notice served on a BC timber sales enterprise, the minister, in addition to any other action that may be taken under this Act or the Forest and Range Practices Act, may suspend, in whole or in part, rights in any BC timber sales agreement held by the person, if the person

(a) has made a material misrepresentation, omission or misstatement of fact in an operational plan prepared by the person, or

(b) has not complied with

(i) this Act or a regulation made under this Act, or

(ii) the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, the Wildfire Act or any regulations or standards made under those Acts.

(2) The minister may impose conditions with which a person referred to in subsection (1) must comply before a suspension under that subsection is rescinded.

(3) If rights under a BC timber sales agreement are under suspension under section 78 or under this section, the minister may cancel a road use permit granted for the agreement to the holder of the agreement.

Continuing liability

79   (1) Despite the expiry, surrender, suspension or cancellation of a holder's agreement, the holder is liable

(a) to pay the rent, fees, costs and penalties owing to the government in respect of the agreement,

(b) to perform all other obligations under the agreement,

(c) to perform all other obligations imposed under this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act or the Wildfire Act with respect to the agreement, and

(d) to pay to the government all other money required under this Act to be paid to the government in respect of the agreement

incurred before its expiry, surrender, suspension or cancellation.

(1.1) Subject to subsection (1.2), for the purposes of performing obligations referred to in subsection (1) (b) and (c), the holder may enter onto Crown land.

(1.2) Subject to the regulations under subsection (1.4), if any, the minister or timber sales manager may impose requirements he or she considers necessary or desirable to be met by the holder as conditions of entering onto the Crown land, including that the holder provide security.

(1.3) The holder must comply with any requirements imposed under subsection (1.2).

(1.4) For the purposes of subsection (1.2), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations

(a) limiting the circumstances under which the minister or timber sales manager may exercise the discretion under subsection (1.2),

(b) specifying the form and amount of the security, and

(c) specifying the circumstances under which the security may be realized.

(2) In this section,

(a) references to an agreement are to be read as including references to a cutting permit, road permit or road use permit issued to the holder of the agreement, and

(b) "holder" includes a former holder.

Division 4.1 — Miscellaneous

Residual fibre orders

79.1   (1) In this section:

"agreement" means

(a) a form of agreement referred to in section 12, or

(b) a pulpwood agreement;

"residual fibre" means Crown timber in an area that is cut but not removed from the area.

(2) The minister may order the holder of an agreement

(a) to submit a report to the minister in the form and within the time period specified by the minister,

(b) to include in the report referred to in paragraph (a) information specified by the minister related to an area specified by the minister, which may include, without limitation, the following information:

(i) an estimate, made in accordance with the regulations, of the volume of residual fibre in the area at the time of the report;

(ii) an estimate, made in accordance with the regulations, of the volume of residual fibre the holder of the agreement reasonably expects to be in the area at a time specified by the minister;

(iii) an estimate, made in accordance with the regulations, of the volume of residual fibre the holder of the agreement does not intend to use,

(c) to submit updates of any information included in the report under paragraph (b), in the form and within the time period specified by the minister,

(d) if the residual fibre is not being utilized or is not going to be utilized, not to damage some or all of the residual fibre for a period of time specified by the minister in an area specified by the minister, and

(e) to handle the residual fibre as set out in the regulations.

(3) The minister may amend or rescind an order made under subsection (2).

(4) If an order is made under subsection (2) (d), the holder of the agreement may identify all or a portion of the residual fibre that is subject to the order and notify the minister that the holder of the agreement is willing to abandon the holder's rights to the identified residual fibre.

(5) If the holder of the agreement gives notice to the minister under subsection (4), for a period of 60 days starting on the date notice is received by the minister,

(a) the holder of the agreement may not deal with the residual fibre identified in the notice without the consent of the minister, and

(b) the minister may

(i) by order, specify some or all of the residual fibre identified in the notice and deem, as abandoned, the rights of the holder of the agreement to the residual fibre specified in the order, and

(ii) issue to a person other than the holder of the agreement one or both of the following in respect of some or all of the residual fibre specified in the order made under subparagraph (i):

(A) a fibre recovery permit referred to in section 47.72 (1) (c) if the person other than the holder of the agreement holds a fibre supply licence to cut under section 47.3 (1) or 47.71 that includes the area that is subject to the order made under subsection (2) (d) of this section;

(B) a forestry licence to cut referred to in section 47.6 (2.11) that includes the area that is subject to the order made under subsection (2) (d) of this section.

(6) Notice given under subsection (4) is deemed to be received by the minister as follows:

(a) if given by mailing a copy by ordinary or registered mail, on the 5th day after the copy is mailed;

(b) if given by sending a copy by electronic mail, on the 3rd day after the copy is sent;

(c) if given by leaving a copy at a district office, on the 3rd day after the copy is left;

(d) if given by delivering by hand a copy to a district manager, on delivery of the copy.

(7) On the date the minister makes an order under subsection (5) (b) (i) deeming the rights of a holder of an agreement to be abandoned with respect to the residual fibre specified in the order, all rights of the holder of the agreement to that residual fibre are cancelled.

(8) As soon as practicable after the date the minister makes an order under subsection (5) (b) (i), the minister must give to the holder of the agreement

(a) a copy of the order, and

(b) written notice stating that the rights of the holder of the agreement respecting the residual fibre specified in the order are cancelled.

(9) As soon as practicable after the date the minister issues a permit or licence under subsection (5) (b) (ii), the minister must give to the holder of the agreement written notice that the permit or licence has been issued.

When compensation is not payable

80   (1) In this section, "compensation" includes damages.

(2) No compensation is payable by the government and proceedings must not be commenced or continued to claim compensation from the government or to obtain a declaration that compensation is payable by the government in respect of an expiry, failure to extend, reduction, refusal, deletion or deeming, or a reduction in an allowable annual cut as a result of a determination or a deeming, under any of:

(a) the following provisions of this Act: sections 8 (1), (2) and (10); 9 (3) and (4); 27 (a); 63, 63.1, 63.2, 68 to 70, 72 to 74 and 81.1;

(b) the following provisions of the Forest Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 157, before their repeal: sections 64; 65; 66; 67; 71;

(c) the following provisions of the Forest Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c. 140: sections 15 (1); 19 (b) and (c); 33 (1) and (5); 37 (1); 39 (1);

(d) the following provisions of the Forest Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c. 140, before their repeal: section 44 (3); 95.

(3) No compensation is payable by the government and proceedings must not be commenced or continued to claim compensation from the government or to obtain a declaration that compensation is payable by the government in respect of the effect, under section 75.02, 75.1, 75.11 or 75.95, on a licence as defined in a provision of Division 3.1 of Part 4.

(4) No compensation is payable by the government and proceedings must not be commenced or continued to claim compensation from the government or to obtain a declaration that compensation is payable by the government as a result of a cancellation of rights under section 79.1 (7).

Repealed

80.01   [Repealed 2021-38-44.]

Relief from liability for appurtenancy and processing requirements

80.1   (1) In this section:

"appurtenancy requirement" means a provision of a licence that requires the holder to construct, modify or maintain a timber processing facility;

"licence" means a forest licence or a tree farm licence;

"non-replaceable licence" means a licence that provides that a replacement for it must not be offered;

"processing requirement" means a provision of a licence that requires the holder to process the timber harvested under the licence, or an equivalent volume of timber, through a timber processing facility;

"replaceable licence" means a licence for which a replacement licence must be offered under section 15 or 36.

(2) The holder of a replaceable licence, whether entered into before or after the coming into force of this subsection, is relieved in relation to the licence from

(a) any appurtenancy requirements, processing requirements or requirements of the licence directly related to either, and

(b) any commitments made in a proposal on which the award of the licence, or a predecessor of the licence, if applicable, was based, in relation to

(i) constructing, modifying or maintaining a timber processing facility, or

(ii) processing timber through a timber processing facility.

(3) On and after the later of

(a) the tenth anniversary of a non-replaceable licence, and

(b) the date this section comes into force,

the holder of a non-replaceable licence, whether entered into before or after the coming into force of this subsection, is relieved in relation to the licence from

(c) any appurtenancy requirements, processing requirements or requirements of the licence directly related to either, and

(d) any commitments made in a proposal on which the award of the licence, or a predecessor of the licence, if applicable, was based, in relation to

(i) constructing, modifying or maintaining a timber processing facility, or

(ii) processing timber through a timber processing facility.

Forestry Revitalization Act

80.2   (1) In this section:

"Acts" means this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, and includes the regulations under each of them;

"group licence interim period", in relation to a licence in a group of licences which licence is specified in a minister's order, means,

(a) if there is only one reduction in allowable annual cut for that licence under the minister's order, the period beginning on March 31, 2003 and ending on

(i) the date when the minister's order is made for the licence, if no subsequent date is specified in the minister's order in relation to that reduction and for the purposes of section 3 (5.1) of the Forestry Revitalization Act, or

(ii) the subsequent date, if one is specified in the minister's order, in relation to that reduction and for the purposes of section 3 (5.1) of the Forestry Revitalization Act, or

(b) if there are a series of reductions in allowable annual cut for that licence under the minister's order,

(i) for the first in the series of reductions, the period beginning on March 31, 2003 and ending on

(A) the date when the minister's order is made for that first reduction, if no subsequent date is specified in the minister's order, in relation to that first reduction and for the purposes of section 3 (5.1) of the Forestry Revitalization Act, or

(B) the subsequent date, if one is specified in the minister's order, in relation to that first reduction and for the purposes of section 3 (5.1) of the Forestry Revitalization Act, and

(ii) for the further reduction in the series of reductions, the period beginning at the end of the period for the immediately preceding reduction and ending on

(A) the date when the minister's order is made for that further reduction, if no subsequent date is specified in the minister's order, in relation to that further reduction and for the purposes of section 3 (5.1) of the Forestry Revitalization Act, or

(B) the subsequent date, if one is specified in the minister's order, in relation to that further reduction and for the purposes of section 3 (5.1) of the Forestry Revitalization Act;

"minister's order" means an order made under section 3 of the Forestry Revitalization Act;

"timber licence interim period", in relation to a timber licence specified in a minister's order, means

(a) if there is only one reduction in area for that licence under the minister's order, the period beginning on March 31, 2003 and ending on

(i) the date when the minister's order is made for the licence, if no subsequent date is specified in the minister's order in relation to that reduction and for the purposes of section 3 (5.1) of the Forestry Revitalization Act, or

(ii) the subsequent date, if one is specified in the minister's order, in relation to that reduction and for the purposes of section 3 (5.1) of the Forestry Revitalization Act, or

(b) if there are a series of reductions in area for that licence under the minister's order,

(i) for the first in the series of reductions, the period beginning on March 31, 2003 and ending on

(A) the date when the minister's order is made for that first reduction, if no subsequent date is specified in the minister's order, in relation to that first reduction and for the purposes of section 3 (5.1) of the Forestry Revitalization Act, or

(B) the subsequent date, if one is specified in the minister's order, in relation to that first reduction and for the purposes of section 3 (5.1) of the Forestry Revitalization Act, and

(ii) for a further reduction in the series of reductions, the period beginning at the end of the period for the immediately preceding reduction and ending on

(A) the date when the minister's order is made for that further reduction, if no subsequent date is specified in the minister's order, in relation to that further reduction and for the purposes of section 3 (5.1) of the Forestry Revitalization Act, or

(B) the subsequent date, if one is specified in the minister's order, in relation to that further reduction and for the purposes of section 3 (5.1) of the Forestry Revitalization Act.

(2) In this section words and expressions have the same meanings as they have in section 1 of the Forestry Revitalization Act.

(3) A determination of whether or not the holder of a licence in a group of licences has complied with the Acts, in relation to timber harvesting under the licence, during a group licence interim period must be made

(a) if there is only one reduction in allowable annual cut for that licence under a minister's order, without regard to the order, or

(b) if there are a series of reductions in allowable annual cut for that licence under a minister's order, without regard to the order, except as it pertains to the allowable annual cut remaining under the licence after each of the group licence interim periods, in turn, under the order.

(4) A determination of whether or not the holder of a timber licence specified in a minister's order has complied with the Acts, in relation to timber harvesting under the licence, during a timber licence interim period must be made

(a) if there is only one reduction in area for that licence under a minister's order, without regard to the order, or

(b) if there are a series of reductions in area for that licence under a minister's order, without regard to the order, except as it pertains to the area of Crown land remaining under the licence after each of the interim periods, in turn, under the order.

Division 5 — Eligibility of Applicants

Eligibility

81   (1) To the extent provided in the regulations, the issuance of a cutting permit may be refused or have special conditions attached if an agreement provides for cutting permits and the district manager determines that

(a) rights under the agreement are under suspension, or

(b) the holder of the agreement has failed to

(i) [Repealed 1997-48-12.]

(ii) provide security or a deposit required under this Act or the Forest and Range Practices Act,

(iii) perform an obligation under the agreement to be performed by the holder in respect of an area of land specified in

(A) a cutting permit previously issued under the agreement, or

(B) a road permit or road use permit associated with the agreement, or

(iv) comply with a requirement under this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act or the Wildfire Act in respect of an area of land referred to in subparagraph (iii).

(2) The refusal to issue a cutting permit under subsection (1) may continue until

(a) the suspension is rescinded,

(b) the suspended rights are reinstated, or

(c) the holder of the agreement

(i) [Repealed 1997-48-12.]

(ii) provides the required security or deposit,

(iii) performs the obligation to be performed under the agreement in respect of land referred to in subsection (1) (b) (iii), or

(iv) complies with the requirement under this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act or the Wildfire Act in respect of land referred to in subsection (1) (b) (iii).

(3) To the extent provided in the regulations, the minister, timber sales manager or district manager, as the case may be, may reject an application for any of the following on either of the grounds set out in subsection (4):

(a) an agreement listed in section 12;

(b) a permit not listed in section 12 that is issued under this Act or under an agreement;

(c) a permit under the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act.

(4) The grounds for rejection referred to in subsection (3) are that the applicant is the holder of an agreement or permit listed in that subsection and

(a) rights under the agreement or permit so held are under suspension, or

(b) the applicant, in respect of the agreement or permit so held has failed to provide, perform or comply as referred to in subsection (1) (b) (ii), (iii) or (iv).

(5) An application for any of the following may be refused on the grounds set out in subsection (6):

(a) an agreement listed in section 12;

(b) a permit not listed in section 12 that is issued under this Act or under an agreement;

(c) a scale site authorization under section 95 of this Act;

(d) a permit under the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act.

(6) The grounds for refusal referred to in subsection (5) are that one or both of the following have not paid stumpage or other money payable to the government by the due date under section 130:

(a) the applicant;

(b) a person not at arm's length, as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada), from the applicant.

(7) The grounds for refusal described in subsection (6) apply whether or not the applicant or person has made arrangements satisfactory to the revenue minister to pay the stumpage or other money.

Refusal of cutting permit or road permit

81.1   If the minister determines that the issuance of a cutting permit or road permit would compromise government objectives as specified by regulation, the person who under this Act has discretion to issue the permit must refuse the application for the permit.

Part 5 — Timber Marking

Timber marking: interpretation

82   In this Part:

"registrar" means the registrar designated by the minister to administer timber marks and marine log brands;

"unscaled timber" includes timber for which the amount of stumpage has been calculated under section 106.

Timber mark duration

83   (1) A timber mark held under an agreement listed in section 12

(a) is suspended if, under this Act, the agreement is suspended, or

(b) is cancelled, if under this Act, the agreement expires or is surrendered or cancelled.

(2) A timber mark held under a certificate issued under section 85, other than a certificate issued in respect of private land that is subject to an area-based licence, expires on the fifth anniversary of the issue date of the certificate or, by consent of the applicant, on an earlier date specified in the certificate.

(3) A timber mark held under a renewal certificate issued under section 85, other than a certificate issued in respect of private land that is subject to an area-based licence, expires on the fifth anniversary of the renewal date of the certificate or, by consent of the applicant, on an earlier date specified in the certificate.

(4) A timber mark held under a certificate or renewal certificate issued under section 85 that is in respect of private land subject to an area-based licence does not expire but

(a) is suspended if, under this Act, the licence or agreement is suspended,

(b) is cancelled if, under this Act, the licence or agreement expires or is surrendered or cancelled, or

(c) subject to subsection (5) of this section, is cancelled if the private land is otherwise no longer subject to the licence or agreement.

(5) If

(a) a certificate or renewal certificate issued under section 85 is in respect of private land subject to an area-based licence, and

(b) subsequently that private land is no longer subject to the licence or agreement but the owner of the land remains the same,

the timber mark held under the certificate expires on the fifth anniversary of the date the private land is no longer subject to the licence or agreement.

Timber marks

84   (1) Each of

(a) the holder of a timber mark, and

(b) a person acting with the consent of the holder of a timber mark

must ensure that unscaled timber that is

(c) stored in decks or piles on Crown land or private land, or

(d) removed or transported from Crown land or private land

has been marked in the prescribed manner with the timber mark that pertains to that land.

(2) [Repealed 2008-4-8.]

(3) A person must not

(a) store unscaled timber in decks or piles on Crown land or, in prescribed circumstances, on private land, or

(b) remove or transport unscaled timber from Crown land or private land

unless the timber has been marked in the prescribed manner with a timber mark that pertains to that land.

(4) Before timber marked under this section is used in manufacturing, a person must not remove, obliterate or alter a timber mark that has been applied to timber.

(5) The minister may exempt unscaled timber from subsection (1) or (3) and may attach conditions to the exemption.

(6) Each of the following must ensure compliance with the conditions attached to an exemption under subsection (5):

(a) the holder of a timber mark;

(b) a person acting with the consent of the holder of a timber mark;

(c) a person storing unscaled timber on Crown land or private land or removing or transporting unscaled timber from Crown land or private land.

Applications

85   (1) On application that identifies private land on which there is timber, in a form required by the minister, and on payment of the fee, if any, required by the minister, the registrar must

(a) issue a certificate, or a renewal certificate, that describes a timber mark and identifies the private land

(i) to the person, if any, who is identified as the owner of the timber under a charge registered in the land title office against the private land, or

(ii) if no charge as described in subparagraph (i) is registered in the land title office against the private land, to the person who, according to the records of the land title office, is the beneficial owner of the private land as

(A) the registered owner in fee simple, or

(B) the holder of an agreement to purchase the private land,

(b) issue to an agent of the government or to a private utility company a certificate or renewal certificate that describes a timber mark and identifies the private land and the agent or company to which the certificate pertains, if the registrar is satisfied that the agent or utility has the authority to harvest the timber, and

(c) issue to the holder of a woodlot licence a certificate that describes a timber mark and identifies the private land that is subject to the woodlot licence to which the certificate pertains, if the registrar is satisfied that the woodlot licence holder has the authority to harvest the timber.

(2) The registrar may include terms and conditions in the certificate and the holder of the certificate must comply with those terms and conditions.

(3) On application by the holder of a certificate issued under subsection (1) (a), the registrar may approve the use of a timber mark described in the certificate, for timber owned by the applicant and cut on private land other than the private land originally described in the certificate.

(3.1) On application by the holder of a certificate issued under subsection (1) (b), the registrar may approve the use of a timber mark described in the certificate, for timber cut on private land other than the private land originally described in the certificate, if the registrar is satisfied that the agent or utility has the authority to harvest the timber from that other private land.

(3.2) As a condition precedent to issuing a timber mark under subsection (1) or granting an approval under subsection (3) or (3.1), the registrar may require evidence to his or her satisfaction that the applicant for the timber mark or approval is the owner of the timber according to the records of the land title office.

(4) If the registrar exercises his or her powers under subsection (3) or (3.1), the registrar must amend accordingly the certificate issued under subsection (1) and the timber mark register.

(5) After giving the holder of a timber mark an opportunity to be heard, the registrar may cancel a certificate or renewal certificate issued under this section and the timber mark described in it

(a) if the holder of the timber mark contravenes a provision of Part 5 or 6, or

(b) for other sufficient cause.

Scaled timber brands

86   (1) Each of

(a) the holder of a scaled timber brand, and

(b) a person acting with the consent of the holder of a scaled timber brand

must ensure that timber removed or transported from the scale site to which the scaled timber brand pertains has been marked in the prescribed manner with that scaled timber brand.

(2) A person must not

(a) remove or transport scaled timber from a scale site unless the timber has been marked in the prescribed manner with a scaled timber brand, or

(b) apply a scaled timber brand to timber except at

(i) the scale site to which the scaled timber brand applies, or

(ii) another location approved by the minister.

(3) The minister may exempt scaled timber from subsection (1) or (2) and may attach conditions to the exemption.

(3.1) Each of the following must ensure compliance with the conditions attached to an exemption under subsection (3):

(a) the holder of a scaled timber brand;

(b) a person acting with the consent of the holder of a scaled timber brand;

(c) a person removing or transporting scaled timber from a scale site.

(4) Before use of the timber in manufacturing, a person must not remove, obliterate or alter a scaled timber brand that has been applied to timber.

Applications

87   (1) On application by the scale site operator in a form required by the minister, the minister must issue to the applicant a certificate that describes a scaled timber brand and identifies the scale site to which it pertains, and may attach conditions to the certificate.

(2) After giving the holder of a scaled timber brand an opportunity to be heard, the minister may suspend a certificate issued under subsection (1) and the scaled timber brand described in it

(a) if the scale site operator contravenes a provision of Part 5 or 6, or

(b) for other sufficient cause.

(3) On application of the holder of the scaled timber brand, the minister must give the holder an opportunity to be heard and must rescind the suspension if

(a) the holder is no longer in contravention of the provision that gave rise to the suspension, or

(b) the suspension was for sufficient cause under subsection (2) (b), and the holder has remedied the circumstances that gave rise to the suspension.

(4) If a certificate and the scaled timber brand described in it are under suspension, the minister may cancel them.

Marine log brand

88   (1) On receiving an application the registrar may approve a marine log brand that, in his or her opinion, does not so closely resemble any other marine log brand as to be misleading.

(2) An application must be in the form required by the minister, include a prescribed fee and contain a facsimile of the marine log brand applied for.

(3) If the registrar approves a marine log brand the registrar must issue to the applicant a certificate containing a facsimile of the marine log brand.

Marking with marine log brand

89   (1) A person must not apply a marine log brand to timber unless

(a) the person has obtained

(i) a certificate under section 88 (3) for the marine log brand, or

(ii) the consent of a person who has obtained a certificate under section 88 (3) for the marine log brand, and

(b) the timber has been

(i) marked with a timber mark in accordance with this Part, and

(ii) scaled in accordance with Part 6.

(2) A person who applies a marine log brand under subsection (1) must mark the timber in the prescribed manner.

Transfer

90   (1) A person must not use a timber mark, scaled timber brand or marine log brand without the consent of the holder.

(2) The holder of a marine log brand must not transfer the right to use it to another person without the written consent of the minister and without giving prior notice to the registrar.

(3) Each of

(a) a timber mark held under a certificate or renewal certificate issued under section 85 and the certificate, and

(b) a scaled timber brand held under a certificate issued under section 87 and the certificate,

is not transferable.

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to a timber mark or certificate that pertains to an agreement that is disposed of in accordance with section 54.

Evidence

91   A certificate, purporting to be signed by the registrar or the chief forester, to the effect that a timber mark certificate has been issued to, or a marine log brand has been approved for use by, a person, must be received in court as proof of the facts stated in it.

Registers

92   The registrar must keep

(a) a timber mark register in which must be noted the characters of each timber mark, the name of its holder and the land the mark pertains to, and

(b) a marine log brand register in which must be noted the characters of each marine log brand approved and the name of its holder.

Part 6 — Timber Scaling

Timber scaling: interpretation

93   In this Part:

"acting scaler" means a person appointed under section 100 (3) (a);

"forest service scaler" means a forest officer appointed under section 100 (3) (b);

"licensed scaler" means a person who holds a scaling licence issued under section 100 (2);

"official scaler" means a licensed scaler appointed under section 100 (3) (c);

"scale" means to do one or more of the following:

(a) determine the volume or quantity of timber;

(b) classify the quality of timber.

Misrepresentation prohibited

93.1   A person must not represent that the person is authorized to perform a scale under this Part if not so authorized.

Timber to be scaled

94   (1) Subject to section 94.1, a person must not manufacture products from, sell or transport to a place, other than the place where it is required to be sent for scaling,

(a) timber that is cut from private land unless it is scaled by a licensed scaler authorized by the minister to scale the timber, and

(b) timber that

(i) is cut from Crown land and that under the terms of the authority to cut is required to be scaled, or

(ii) is salvaged from water or foreshore,

unless it is scaled by an official scaler authorized by the minister to scale the timber or scaled by a forest service scaler.

(2) If the minister considers it necessary to avoid unreasonable delays or costs, he or she may order that

(a) timber that is required to be scaled by an official scaler or a forest service scaler may be scaled by a licensed scaler who is not an official scaler or a forest service scaler or by an acting scaler, and

(b) timber that is required to be scaled by a licensed scaler may be scaled by an acting scaler.

(3) [Repealed 2010-11-7.]

(4) Each of

(a) the owner of a scale site,

(b) the operator of a scale site, and

(c) the person whose timber is scaled under this Part

must ensure that the parcel or lot of timber that has been most recently scaled by each of the scalers employed at the site is retained at the site and made accessible for check scale by a licensed scaler who is a forest officer.

(5) The minister may exempt timber or a person from subsection (1) or (4).

(6) The minister may attach conditions to an exemption under subsection (5) and may attach, remove or alter a condition at any time.

(7) A person who

(a) is subject to an exemption under subsection (5), or

(b) whose timber is subject to an exemption under subsection (5)

must comply with a condition attached to the exemption.

Scaling of special forest products

94.1   (1) In this section, "waste assessment" means an assessment, for determining the volumes of merchantable timber and waste left on a harvested area, conducted in accordance with the procedures set out in the publication of the Ministry of Forests and Range, Provincial Logging Residue and Waste Measurement Procedures Manual, as amended from time to time.

(2) If timber is to be manufactured into a special forest product at the place where the timber is felled, the special forest product may be scaled instead of the timber.

(3) A person may, for timber that is cut from Crown land and that under the terms of the authority to cut is required to be scaled,

(a) transport the timber to a place other than the place where it is required to be sent for scaling if the timber is to be manufactured into a special forest product at that place, or

(b) at a place other than the place where the timber is felled, manufacture timber into a special forest product before it is scaled,

if all of the following apply:

(c) the person is authorized to do so by the minister;

(d) a waste assessment for the timber has been approved by the minister;

(e) the person scales the special forest product at a scale site designated by the minister, which may include the site at which the timber is manufactured into the special forest product.

(4) The minister may attach conditions to an authorization granted under subsection (3), and may attach, remove or alter a condition at any time.

(5) A person who is subject to a condition imposed under subsection (4) must comply with the condition.

Scale site authorization

95   (1) Each of

(a) the owner of a scale site, and

(b) the operator of a scale site

must ensure that no timber is scaled at the site unless a scale site authorization has been issued under subsection (2) for the site.

(2) On application the minister must issue to the applicant a scale site authorization on being satisfied that a complete and accurate scale can be performed at the site.

(3) Despite subsection (2) an applicant may be refused if

(a) the applicant previously held a scale site authorization which was cancelled, or

(b) the minister has reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant will fail to comply with

(i) Part 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 or 11,

(ii) a regulation made under section 151 (2) (c), (d), (h), (i) or (n), or

(iii) the conditions attached to a scale site authorization.

(4) The minister may attach conditions to the scale site authorization to ensure a complete and accurate scale and may attach, remove or alter a condition at any time.

(5) A condition under subsection (4) may be applied to a specific scale site authorization, a class of scale site authorizations or all scale site authorizations.

(6) The minister, after giving the holder of a scale site authorization an opportunity to be heard, may suspend or cancel a scale site authorization upon being satisfied that there has been failure to comply with

(a) Part 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 or 11,

(b) a regulation made under section 151 (2) (c), (d), (h), (i) or (n), or

(c) a condition attached to a scale site authorization.

(7) Each of

(a) a person to whom a scale site authorization has been issued,

(b) the owner of the scale site, and

(c) the operator of the scale site

must ensure that the conditions attached to the scale site authorization are complied with.

Scale

96   (1) A person who scales or purports to scale timber under this Act

(a) must carry out the scale according to the prescribed procedures, and

(b) must express the scale in cubic metres or another unit of metric measure required by the minister for special forest products.

(2) A scale that is expressed in cubic metres is to be known as British Columbia metric scale.

(3) A person whose timber is scaled under this Part must ensure that a complete and accurate scale of the timber is performed.

Scale return

97   (1) Each of

(a) the owner of a scale site,

(b) the operator of a scale site,

(c) the person whose timber is scaled under this Part, and

(d) the person who performs the scale

must ensure that

(e) the scale details are recorded in a form approved by the minister and retained in that form at the scale site, and

(f) a scale return in the form approved by the minister is completed and delivered within the prescribed time to the person whose timber is scaled and to a person designated by the minister.

(2) If the scale return referred to in subsection (1) (f) is not completed and delivered to a person designated under subsection (1), within the time prescribed for the purpose of that subsection, the person must pay to the government a penalty in the amount prescribed for the purpose of this section.

(3) For the purpose of section 131 the penalty imposed by subsection (2) is money payable to the government in respect of the timber.

(4) Subject to section 99 (5), if, according to a check scale referred to in section 94 (4), the volume or value of the parcel or lot of scaled timber computed from the check scale details varies by more than a prescribed percentage from the volume or value computed from the original scale details, then the check scale governs for all purposes of this Act and the regulations.

(5) The minister may order that subsection (4) does not apply in respect of a check scale if satisfied that the original scale was performed in accordance with good scaling practices and the differences between it and the check scale are attributable to the condition of the timber.

(6) When and as directed by the minister, each of

(a) the owner of a scale site,

(b) the operator of a scale site,

(c) the person whose timber is scaled under this Part, and

(d) the person who performs the scale

must ensure that the check scale details are incorporated in the scale return submitted under subsection (1) (e).

(7) If the minister estimates that the annual volume of timber scaled at a scale site will exceed the prescribed volume, he or she may order the owner or operator of the scale site to enter into an arrangement to deliver, by electronic means to the ministry, the scale returns required under this section.

Scaling charges, costs and expenses

98   (1) A person whose timber is scaled by an employee of the government must pay to the government the charges, costs and expenses incurred by the government in respect of

(a) making and recording the scale measurements,

(b) preparing and submitting the scale return, and

(c) the scale computation, summarization and billing.

(2) A person whose timber is scaled by a person who is not an employee of the government must pay to the government the charges, costs and expenses incurred by the government in respect of preparing, compiling and submitting the scale return.

(3) A person is not required to pay charges, costs and expenses under subsection (2) that total less than a prescribed amount.

Second scale and second check scale

99   (1) If it is feasible to perform a subsequent scale of timber that has been scaled under section 94, the minister

(a) may have the timber scaled again and a second scale return prepared, or

(b) must have the timber scaled again and a second scale return prepared if a person whose interest is affected by the scale objects to the scale return completed for the scale, in a notice served on the minister.

(2) If the volume or value of the timber computed from the second scale return

(a) varies by more than a prescribed percentage from the volume or value computed from the original scale return,

(i) the second scale return governs for all purposes of this Act and the regulations,

(ii) no scaling fees, charges, costs and expenses are payable to the government in respect of the original scale, and

(iii) the person who was liable to pay for the original scale must pay to the government the scaling fees and the charges, costs and expenses incurred by the government in respect of the second scale, or

(b) does not vary by more than a prescribed percentage from the volume or value computed from the original scale return,

(i) the original scale return governs for all purposes of this Act and the regulations, and

(ii) the person who objected to the original scale return must pay to the government the charges, costs and expenses incurred by the government in respect of the second scale.

(3) A scaler whose scale has been replaced by a check scale under section 97 (4) may request a second check scale, by notice served on a person designated by the minister.

(4) The minister must have a second check scale performed, if feasible.

(5) If the volume or value of the timber computed from the second check scale details

(a) varies from the volume or value of the timber computed from the original scale details by more than a prescribed percentage,

(i) the second check scale governs for all purposes of this Act and the regulations, and

(ii) the scaler who requested the second check scale must pay to the government the charges, costs and expenses incurred by the government in respect of the second check scale, or

(b) does not vary from the volume or value of the timber computed from the original scale details by more than a prescribed percentage,

(i) the original scale governs for all purposes of this Act and the regulations, and

(ii) no charges, costs and expenses are payable to the government.

Scaling

100   (1) A person who applies for a scaling licence must be examined by one or more scaling examiners appointed by the minister.

(2) If an applicant passes the examinations approved by the minister, the minister may issue a scaling licence to the applicant.

(3) The minister may appoint

(a) any person as an acting scaler,

(b) a licensed scaler who is a forest officer as a forest service scaler, and

(c) a licensed scaler other than a forest officer as an official scaler for a term specified in the appointment.

Re-examination

101   (1) The minister, in a notice served on a licensed scaler, may require the licensed scaler to be examined under section 100.

(2) Unless the licensed scaler passes the examination within the time specified by the minister in the notice, the licensed scaler's scaling licence terminates at the end of the specified time.

Suspension and cancellation

102   (1) If a licensed scaler fails to properly perform the licensed scaler's duties or comply with this Part or the regulations respecting scaling,

(a) the minister, in a notice served on the licensed scaler, may suspend the latter's scaling licence for a period of time, and

(b) the minister, whether or not the licence is under suspension, in a notice served on the licensed scaler, may cancel the latter's scaling licence.

(2) Before the minister cancels a scaling licence, the minister must give the licensed scaler an opportunity to be heard.

Part 6.1 — Forest Resource Inventories

Definitions for Part 6.1

102.1   In this Part:

"forest resource" means a resource or feature set out in section 102.2 (1);

"information" includes a record;

"recreation resource" has the same meaning as in the Forest and Range Practices Act;

"visual resource" means a resource or feature in relation to which a visual quality objective is established under the Forest and Range Practices Act.

Requirement to prepare and maintain forest resource inventories

102.2   (1) The holder of an area-based licence must, in accordance with this Part, prepare and maintain a complete and accurate inventory of each of the following resources and features in the licence area:

(a) timber;

(b) soil and terrain;

(c) water resources, including streams, wetlands, lakes and riparian areas;

(d) fish and wildlife;

(e) ecosystems;

(f) recreation resources;

(g) visual resources.

(2) The chief forester may specify the form in which the holder of an area-based licence must prepare and maintain an inventory of a forest resource.

Time periods within which forest resource inventories must be prepared

102.3   (1) In this section, "pre-existing licence" means a licence that is in effect on January 1, 2022.

(2) The holder of an area-based licence that is entered into after January 1, 2022 must prepare an inventory of each forest resource by no later than 2 years after the date the area-based licence is entered into.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if the area-based licence is a replacement for another licence.

(4) The holder of a tree farm licence that is a pre-existing licence must prepare an inventory of each forest resource by no later than January 1, 2024.

(5) The holder of a community forest agreement, first nations woodland licence or woodlot licence that is a pre-existing licence must prepare an inventory of each forest resource by no later than January 1, 2026.

Content of forest resource inventory

102.4   (1) An inventory of a forest resource must include sufficient information about the forest resource such that a professional forester who is relying on the inventory could do all the following, to the standard expected of a professional forester:

(a) assess the impacts that the following would have on the forest resource:

(i) timber harvesting;

(ii) road construction, road maintenance, road use and road deactivation;

(iii) wildfire, disease and insect infestation;

(b) assess the impact that management of the forest resource would have on the timber supply in the licence area;

(c) prepare the following in relation to the licence area:

(i) an operational plan that meets the requirements under the Forest and Range Practices Act;

(ii) a management plan that meets the requirements under this Act or the licence;

(d) advise the holder of the area-based licence about the actions that are necessary to adequately manage and conserve the forest resource.

(2) The chief forester may specify information that must be included in an inventory of a forest resource.

Maintenance of forest resource inventory

102.5   (1) After the holder of an area-based licence has prepared an inventory of a forest resource, the holder must maintain the inventory in accordance with the following requirements:

(a) within each of the applicable time periods described in subsection (2), the holder must review the information in the inventory to determine whether the information is complete and accurate;

(b) if information in the inventory is determined to be no longer complete and accurate, the holder must update the inventory by adding complete and accurate information about the forest resource.

(2) The review of an inventory of a forest resource must be carried out

(a) at least once in the 10-year period following the date the inventory is first prepared,

(b) at least once in each successive 10-year period following, as applicable,

(i) the date a determination is made that the information included in the inventory is complete and accurate, or

(ii) the date the inventory is updated by adding complete and accurate information about the forest resource, and

(c) at other times that may be specified by regulation.

Requirement to keep records respecting forest resource inventory

102.6   (1) Information that the holder of an area-based licence includes in the holder's inventory of a forest resource must be kept

(a) for a period of 10 years following the date the inventory of the forest resource is first prepared, or

(b) if the information is added to the inventory of the forest resource after the inventory is first prepared, for a period of 10 years following the date the information is added.

(2) The holder of an area-based licence must keep a record of the following dates that relate to the holder's inventory of a forest resource:

(a) each date a determination under section 102.5 (1) (a) is made as to whether information included in the inventory is complete and accurate;

(b) each date the inventory is updated under section 102.5 (1) (b) by adding complete and accurate information about the forest resource.

Requirement to submit forest resource inventory to chief forester

102.7   (1) The holder of an area-based licence must, within or at each of the applicable times described in subsection (2), submit the following to the chief forester:

(a) the information included in the holder's inventory of a forest resource;

(b) the record of dates relating to the forest resource that the holder is required to keep under section 102.6 (2).

(2) Unless a later date is permitted by the chief forester, the information and record of dates referred to in subsection (1) must be submitted to the chief forester

(a) within 30 days after the chief forester requests the holder to submit the information and record of dates,

(b) on the expiration, surrender or cancellation of the area-based licence, and

(c) at other times that may be specified by regulation.

(3) Subsection (2) (b) does not apply in respect of the expiration, surrender or cancellation of an area-based licence if the holder enters into a replacement agreement that has the same licence area.

(4) Information and records of dates submitted under this section must be submitted in the form and manner specified by the chief forester.

Requirement to review forest resource inventory in special circumstances

102.8   (1) The chief forester may, by order, require the holder of an area-based licence to conduct a review and make the determinations and, if applicable, the updates described in section 102.5 (1) if the chief forester considers that a portion of the licence area has been significantly impacted by any of the following:

(a) wildfire, disease or insect infestation;

(b) windthrow;

(c) a prescribed natural event.

(2) Unless a later date is specified in an order under subsection (1), the holder to which the order relates must complete the review, and make the required determinations and updates, by no later than 2 years after the effective date of that order.

Verification of information in forest resource inventory

102.9   (1) In this section, "inventory official" means a person designated by the minister as an inventory official.

(2) For the purposes of verifying information in an inventory of a forest resource prepared by the holder of an area-based licence, an inventory official may do any of the following:

(a) require a person to produce for inspection or copying records that relate to the information;

(b) enter, at any reasonable time, onto land in the licence area to carry out surveys, tests or examinations;

(c) pass over land for the purposes of accessing land in the licence area.

Part 7 — Payments to the Government

Amount of stumpage

103   (1) Subject to sections 107, 108 and 142.7, if stumpage under section 104 or under an agreement entered into under this Act is payable to the government in respect of Crown timber, the amount payable must be calculated by multiplying the volume or quantity of the timber

(a) reported in a scale made under Part 6, or

(b) calculated using the information required to be submitted to the government under section 106 (2)

by the sum of

(c) the rate of stumpage applicable to the timber under section 105, and

(d) if applicable, the bonus bid offered in respect of the timber.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) limits a requirement under this Act, or under an agreement entered into under this Act, to pay a bonus offer.

(3) Despite sections 107 and 108 but subject to section 142.7, a person who cuts, damages, destroys or removes Crown timber without authorization must pay, in addition to all other amounts payable under this Act or another enactment, stumpage calculated by multiplying the volume or quantity of the timber that was cut, damaged, destroyed or removed without authorization, as determined by an official designated by the minister, by the sum of

(a) the rate of stumpage that an employee of the ministry referred to in section 105 (1) determines would likely have applied to the timber under that section if rights to the timber had been granted under an agreement entered into under this Act, and

(b) if applicable, the bonus bid that an employee of the ministry referred to in section 105 (1) determines would likely have been offered for the timber if rights to the timber had been granted under an agreement entered into under this Act.

Assessments for merchantable Crown timber that is not cut and removed

103.1   (1) If an agreement entered into under this Act specifies that waste assessments are payable to the government in respect of merchantable Crown timber that could have been cut and removed under the agreement, but, at the agreement holder's discretion, is not cut and removed, the amount payable must be calculated in accordance with the agreement.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), a requirement in an agreement entered into under this Act, or in a cutting permit issued under that agreement, is without effect to the extent that it requires the holder of the agreement or permit, on or after the date this section comes into force, to cut and remove timber in accordance with the agreement or permit.

(3) If an agreement or a cutting permit referred to in subsection (2) requires its holder to pay an amount determined in accordance with the agreement or the cutting permit for timber that is not cut and removed in accordance with the agreement or the cutting permit, the holder must pay the amount required to be paid under the agreement or the cutting permit.

(4) Despite subsections (1) to (3), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations specifying circumstances under which waste assessments are payable to the government in respect of merchantable Crown timber that could have been cut and removed under the agreement but, at the agreement holder's discretion, is not cut and removed.

(5) If a provision in an agreement entered into under this Act conflicts or is inconsistent with a regulation made under subsection (4), the regulation prevails.

Stumpage rate for timber licence

104   (1) Despite any other Act, any election made under section 23 of the Forest Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c. 140, before the repeal of that section, or any agreement, the holder of a timber licence must pay stumpage to the government at rates determined under section 105 for timber that is cut under the licence and scaled.

(2) Despite another Act or a grant of Crown land, no royalty is reserved or payable to the government in respect of timber cut from private land and scaled after January 1, 1979.

(3) Despite subsection (1), no stumpage is payable in respect of timber cut on land granted by Canada by letters patent and situated within the Railway Belt or Peace River Block.

Stumpage rate determined

105   (1) Subject to the regulations made under subsection (6) and orders under subsection (7), if stumpage is payable to the government under an agreement entered into under this Act or under section 103 (3), the rates of stumpage must be determined, redetermined and varied

(a) by an employee of the ministry, identified in the policies and procedures referred to in paragraph (c),

(b) at the times specified by the minister, and

(c) in accordance with the policies and procedures approved by the minister.

(1.1) For the purpose of taking into account differences in the obligations of the holders of agreements in respect of their agreements, Treasury Board may make regulations prescribing adjustments to be incorporated in the policies and procedures approved under subsection (1) (c).

(1.2) A regulation under subsection (1.1) may be different for different timber, places, transactions or holders of agreements entered into under this Act.

(2) Rates, policies and procedures under subsection (1) may be different for different timber, places, transactions or holders of agreements entered into under this Act, and the policies and procedures referred to in subsection (1) may, for stumpage paid or payable in respect of timber cut under a cutting authority issued after July 31, 2005, provide that the determination, redetermination or variation of a rate of stumpage is effective at any date, including, without limitation, at any date before or after

(a) the harvesting or scaling of the timber in respect of which the stumpage has been or is to be paid, or

(b) the payment of stumpage based on any earlier determined, redetermined or varied rate of stumpage.

(2.1) For the purposes of subsection (2), "cutting authority" has the same meaning as in the policies and procedures approved under subsection (1) (c).

(3) Despite subsection (1), but subject to the regulations made under subsection (6) and orders under subsection (7), the holder of a timber licence must pay stumpage to the government at a percentage of the rates determined under subsection (1).

(4) The percentage referred to in subsection (3) is

(a) 100% of the rates referred to as "miscellaneous stumpage rates", in policies and procedures approved from time to time by the minister under subsection (1), and

(b) for rates not referred to in paragraph (a), the percentage set out in column 2 opposite the time period in column 1 in which the stumpage rate is determined.

Column 1
Time Period
Column 2
Percentage of
Stumpage Rate
on and after April 1, 1995 to and including March 31, 199660
on and after April 1, 1996 to and including March 31, 199767
on and after April 1, 1997 to and including March 31, 199873
on and after April 1, 1998 to and including March 31, 199980
on and after April 1, 1999 to and including March 31, 200087
on and after April 1, 2000 to and including March 31, 200193
on and after April 1, 2001100

(5) Within 30 days after the minister approves the policies and procedures referred to in subsection (1) (c), they must be posted on a publicly accessible government website or published in any other manner that the minister considers will allow the public to have access to those policies and procedures.

(5.1) The policies and procedures referred to in subsection (1) (c) may require the holder of an agreement to submit information to the government as necessary or desirable for the determination, redetermination or variation of a stumpage rate.

(5.2) The holder of an agreement who is required, under the policies and procedures referred to in subsection (1) (c), to submit the information referred to in subsection (5.1) must comply with the requirement.

(6) A stumpage rate must not be lower than the prescribed minimum.

(7) If the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers it to be in the public interest, he or she may

(a) subject to subsection (6), order that stumpage rates applicable to all timber or a class of timber in an area of British Columbia or cut under an agreement are to be lower than the rates determined under subsection (1) for a period not exceeding one year, and

(b) attach conditions to an order made under paragraph (a).

(8) On the date that a condition attached to an order made under subsection (7) (a) is not complied with,

(a) the order is terminated, and

(b) the stumpage rate must be determined, redetermined or varied in the same manner as it was determined, redetermined or varied immediately before the order was made.

Complete and accurate information

105.1   (1) In this section:

"agreement" means an agreement in the form of a licence, permit or agreement referred to in section 12;

"applicant" means a person who applies for an agreement.

(2) An applicant who is required under this Act to submit information to the government must ensure that, at the time the information is submitted, the information is complete and accurate.

(3) The holder of an agreement who is required under the agreement or this Act to submit information to the government

(a) for use in determining, redetermining or varying a stumpage rate, or

(b) for any other purpose under this Act,

must ensure that, at the time the information is submitted, the information is complete and accurate.

Redetermination of stumpage rate at direction of minister

105.2   (1) In this section, "policies and procedures" means the policies and procedures referred to in section 105 (1) (c).

(2) The minister may direct under this subsection that a stumpage rate be redetermined or varied under section 105 (1) if the minister is of the opinion that the stumpage rate was determined, redetermined or varied under that section based on information, submitted by or on behalf of the holder of an agreement, to which one or both of the following apply:

(a) at the time the information was submitted, the information was incomplete or inaccurate;

(b) at the time the information was submitted, the information did not meet the requirements of the policies and procedures.

(3) The minister may direct under this subsection that a stumpage rate be redetermined or varied under section 105 (1) if the minister is of the opinion that both of the following apply:

(a) after the stumpage rate was determined, redetermined or varied under section 105 (1), the minister became aware of information that

(i) existed but was not taken into account when the stumpage rate was determined, redetermined or varied, or

(ii) did not exist when the stumpage rate was determined, redetermined or varied;

(b) a redetermination or variation that takes into account the information described in paragraph (a) of this subsection is likely to result in a stumpage rate that is different from the earlier determined, redetermined or varied stumpage rate.

(4) A direction of the minister under this section may be made at any time,

(a) whether the earlier determined, redetermined or varied stumpage rate is still in effect or has expired, and

(b) whether before or after stumpage is paid in respect of the timber to which the stumpage rate relates.

(5) If the minister directs under this section that an earlier determined, redetermined or varied stumpage rate be redetermined or varied under section 105 (1),

(a) in the case of a direction issued under subsection (2) of this section, the redetermination or variation must take into account the information that is necessary to completely and accurately meet the requirements of the policies and procedures,

(b) in the case of a direction issued under subsection (3) of this section, the redetermination or variation must take into account the information described in paragraph (a) of that subsection, and

(c) the redetermination or variation must be made in accordance with the policies and procedures that were in effect at the time the earlier stumpage rate was determined, redetermined or varied.

(6) A stumpage rate that, at the direction of the minister under this section, is redetermined or varied under section 105 (1)

(a) is deemed to have taken effect on the day after the date on which the earlier determined, redetermined or varied stumpage rate took effect, or

(b) takes effect on the day after the intended effective date for the earlier determined, redetermined or varied stumpage rate, if that earlier rate is not in effect when the redetermination or variation is made.

Small scale salvage costs portion to be paid into special account

105.3   All revenue derived from the small scale salvage costs portion, if any, of a stumpage rate imposed in accordance with the policies and procedures referred to in section 105 (1) (c) must be paid into the Small Scale Salvage Sub-account of the Forest Stand Management Fund special account established by the Special Accounts Appropriation and Control Act.

Cruise instead of scale

106   (1) The amount of stumpage payable on Crown timber

(a) may, with the approval of the minister, or

(b) must, in the circumstances provided for in the policies and procedures referred to in section 105 (1) (c),

be calculated using the information provided by a cruise of the timber conducted before the timber is cut, instead of the volume reported in a scale of the timber made under Part 6.

(2) For the purposes of calculating the amount of stumpage payable using information provided by a cruise of the timber conducted before the timber is cut, the minister may require the holder of an agreement to submit the following information to the government:

(a) some or all of the information provided by the cruise of the timber;

(b) an estimate, in hectares, of the size of the area from which the timber is cut;

(c) any other information the minister considers necessary.

(3) The holder of an agreement who is required under subsection (2) to submit information to the government must submit the information in the manner and at the times required by the minister.

More than one rate

107   If the minister considers it appropriate and more than one stumpage rate applies to timber cut in a timber harvesting operation, a single rate of stumpage, calculated as the average of the rates that otherwise would be applicable and weighted according to the respective volumes of timber estimated by the minister to be subject to each rate, is payable on the timber.

Rate on unscaled or incorrectly scaled timber

108   Subject to section 142.7, if Crown timber on which royalty or stumpage is payable is

(a) processed,

(b) sold, or

(c) removed from British Columbia

without first being scaled correctly under Part 6, the amount of royalty or stumpage payable must be calculated by multiplying the minister's estimate of the volume or quantity of the timber by the rate of royalty or stumpage, as the case may be, that the minister considers would have applied if the timber had been scaled correctly under Part 6.

BC Timber Sales Account

109   (0.1) In this section, "BC Timber Sales official" means a person who

(a) is employed in the ministry of the minister, and

(b) is designated by the minister, by name or title, as a BC Timber Sales official.

(1) The Small Business Forest Enterprise Account is renamed as the BC Timber Sales Account and continued as a special account in the general fund of the consolidated revenue fund.

(2) The revenue due to the government under this Act, derived from the following sources, must be credited to the BC Timber Sales Account:

(a) fees and charges that BC timber sales enterprises are required to pay under this Act or a BC timber sales agreement;

(b) forest licences for which applications were restricted under section 13 (1.1), as it was immediately before its repeal;

(c) timber sale licences entered into under section 20;

(d) timber sale licences entered into under any of sections 21, 23 (1) (c), (d), (e) and (f), (2) and (3) and 24 (7) as they were immediately before their repeal;

(e) timber sale licences entered into under section 24 (2) as that provision was immediately before its repeal, that have an allowable annual cut of 10 000 m3 or less;

(f) forestry licences to cut entered into under sections 24.8, 24.9 and 47.6 (3);

(f.1) a road permit granted for a licence referred to in this subsection to the licence holder;

(g) security for BC timber sales agreements realized under the regulations made under section 79 (1.4);

(h) deposits for BC timber sales agreements realized under a regulation made under section 151 (11) or (12);

(i) if the crediting is approved by Treasury Board, money derived from an expenditure made under subsection (3) (e);

(j) dispositions of property under subsection (5).

(2.1) Amounts, other than taxes, payable to the government under an agreement entered into under section 118 of the Forests and Range Practices Act must be credited to the BC Timber Sales Account if the agreement is entered into by a BC Timber Sales official who is authorized or designated, under that section, to enter into the agreement.

(2.2) Costs recovered from a ministry, including costs recovered from the ministry of the minister responsible for the administration of this Act, in relation to any of the following services must be credited to the BC Timber Sales Account if the services are provided to the ministry, on direction of the minister responsible for the administration of this Act, by or through a BC Timber Sales official:

(a) silviculture services;

(b) forest protection services;

(c) services respecting the classification or rehabilitation of forest resources;

(d) prescribed services.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), money in the BC Timber Sales Account may be expended

(a) to defray the costs of

(i) preparing or purchasing operational plans for agreements that yield revenue referred to in subsection (2), and

(ii) carrying out or purchasing assessments to formulate the plans,

(a.1) to defray the costs of consideration provided under BCTS disposition agreements referred to in section 22.2 and to defray any other costs associated with those agreements,

(a.2) to make payments as described in section 22.4 (2) and to defray any other costs associated with making those payments,

(b) to defray the costs that are necessary to meet the requirements of section 29 (2) of the Forest and Range Practices Act, and that are incidental to operations that yield BC timber sales revenue,

(c) to defray the costs of construction and maintenance of logging roads and bridges, protection of forests and administration and other forest management requirements that are incidental to operations that yield revenue referred to in subsection (2),

(d) to purchase, rent or lease a logging road or bridge for a purpose that is incidental to operations that yield revenue referred to in subsection (2),

(d.1) to defray the costs associated with agreements in relation to which subsection (2.1) applies,

(d.2) to defray the costs associated with the provision of services in relation to which subsection (2.2) applies,

(d.3) to defray the costs associated with dispositions of property under subsection (5), and

(e) if the expenditure is for a prescribed purpose and is approved by Treasury Board.

(4) After consultation with the minister, the Treasury Board may direct that the balance of the BC Timber Sales Account be reduced by an amount equal to any part of the balance not required for the purposes set out in subsection (3).

(5) The minister may dispose of any of the following property:

(a) any property of the government, other than logging roads, acquired with money derived from expenditures made under section 109 (3) (a), (b) or (c);

(b) bridges purchased by the government with money derived from expenditures made under section 109 (3) (d).

Repealed

110   [Repealed 2003-31-60.]

Annual rent

111   (1) The holder of a

(a) forest licence other than a supplemental forest licence, timber licence or area-based licence,

(a.1) cutting permit issued under a supplemental forest licence, as defined in section 14.2 (1), or

(b) forestry licence to cut issued under a pulpwood agreement

must pay to the government, on or before a date specified by the minister, annual rent at the rates prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council even if the licence, agreement or permit does not contain a provision to that effect.

(2) If a timber licence expires under Part 3, Division 5, and is replaced by a timber licence, annual rent that is paid and attributable to the unexpired portion of its term must be credited to the annual rent payable for the first year of the term of the timber licence.

(3) [Repealed 1999-10-16.]

(4) In prescribing the rates of annual rent, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may classify licences, agreements or permits granting rights to harvest Crown timber and set different rates for different

(a) classes of licences, agreements or permits, or

(b) forms of licences, agreements or permits.

(c) [Repealed 2010-12-36.]

Calculation of annual rent

112   (1) The annual rent payable for a tree farm licence must be calculated by adding

(a) the total annual rent payable for timber licences in the tree farm licence area, and

(b) the portion of the allowable annual cut available to the licence holder during the year to which the total annual rent pertains, that the chief forester determines is attributable to

(i) Crown land referred to in section 35 (1) (b), other than Crown land subject to a timber licence, and

(ii) land referred to in sections 37 (1) and 38,

multiplied by the annual rent rate prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council for tree farm licences.

(2) The annual rent payable for a woodlot licence is the portion of the allowable annual cut authorized for the woodlot licence that the minister determines is attributable to land referred to in section 45 (1) (b) (ii), multiplied by the annual rent rate prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council for woodlot licences.

(3) The annual rent payable for a community forest agreement is the portion of the allowable annual cut available to the holder of the agreement, during the year to which the total annual rent pertains, that the minister determines is attributable to the Crown land referred to in section 43.3 (1) (b), multiplied by the annual rent rate prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council for community forest agreements.

(4) The annual rent payable for a first nations woodland licence is the portion of the allowable annual cut available to the holder of the licence, during the year to which the total annual rent pertains, that the minister determines is attributable to the Crown land referred to in section 43.55 (1) (b), multiplied by the annual rent rate prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council for first nations woodland licences.

Annual rent for council

112.1   (1) If authorized by the regulations and in accordance with the regulations, the Lieutenant Governor in Council, in prescribing the rate of annual rent for a woodlot licence, under section 111 (1), may allocate a portion of that rate to represent money payable to the Woodlot Product Development Council by producers, under the Farming and Fishing Industries Development Act, in respect of a levy established by the council under that Act.

(2) The revenue from the portion of annual rent payable for woodlot licences that is attributable to the allocated portion of the rate of annual rent under subsection (1)

(a) must be paid out of the consolidated revenue fund to the Woodlot Product Development Council, and

(b) when so paid, is deemed to have been paid in satisfaction of the levy referred to in subsection (1).

Timber cruise

113   (1) If Crown timber is to be disposed of under this Act, the minister or timber sales manager may require that the person who requests the disposal of the timber provide, at the person's own expense, a cruise of the timber by a cruiser approved by the minister or timber sales manager.

(2) If a person, at the person's own expense, has provided a cruise of timber as required under subsection (1), but is not granted a licence or cutting permit in respect of the timber, the person who is granted a licence or cutting permit, as a condition of receiving it, must reimburse the costs of the cruise to the person who provided the cruise.

Part 8 — Roads and Rights of Way

Definition

114   In this Part:

"forest development plan" has the same meaning as it has in the Forest and Range Practices Act;

"forest stewardship plan" has the same meaning as it has in the Forest and Range Practices Act.

Road permits and road use permits for timber harvesting

115   (1) A person who has the right to harvest timber under a forest licence, timber sale licence, timber licence, area-based licence, Christmas tree permit or forestry licence to cut may apply under this section to

(a) a person designated by the minister or timber sales manager for a road permit to

(i) construct a road on Crown land, or

(ii) maintain an existing road on Crown land, other than a forest service road, or

(b) a person designated by the minister for a road use permit to use a forest service road.

(2) Subject to section 81, the minister or timber sales manager must grant to an applicant under subsection (1) a road permit to construct a road on Crown land, if satisfied that the location of the proposed road is identified in a prescribed manner.

(3) Subject to section 81, the minister or timber sales manager must grant to an applicant under subsection (1) a road permit to maintain an existing road on Crown land, other than a forest service road, if

(a) at the time of the application there is no active road permit for the road, and

(b) the minister or timber sales manager is satisfied that use and maintenance of the road by that person will not compromise a forest stewardship plan or forest development plan.

(4) Subject to section 81, the minister must grant to an applicant under subsection (1) a road use permit to use a forest service road if the minister is satisfied that use of the road by that person will not adversely affect authorized users of the road, or compromise a forest stewardship plan or forest development plan.

(5) and (6) [Repealed 2021-37-16.]

Right to harvest Crown timber

116   Subject to section 81, the minister or timber sales manager, in a road permit granted to an applicant under section 115 (1) (a) to construct a road on Crown land, must grant the applicant the right to harvest Crown timber under the road permit if the minister or timber sales manager is satisfied the Crown timber must be harvested to construct the road.

Road use permits for natural resource development purposes

117   (0.1) In this section, "natural resource development purpose" has the same meaning as in section 21.1 of the Forest and Range Practices Act.

(1) A person, other than a person referred to in section 115 (1), who wishes to use a forest service road for an natural resource development purpose, may apply under this section to a person designated by the minister for a road use permit.

(2) The minister may grant to an applicant under subsection (1) a road use permit to use a forest service road if the minister is satisfied that use of the road by that person for that natural resource development purpose will not

(a) cause inordinate disturbance to the natural environment,

(b) adversely affect authorized users of the road, or

(c) compromise a forest stewardship plan or forest development plan.

Road permit content

118   (1) A road permit must do the following:

(a) describe the location of the road that is or will be subject to the road permit;

(b) authorize the holder to use, maintain and deactivate the road;

(c) if the road permit is granted under section 115 (2), authorize the holder to construct the road;

(d) if the road permit grants the right to harvest Crown timber, require the holder to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act,

(i) stumpage under Part 7, and

(ii) waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the road permit but, at the holder's discretion, is not cut and removed.

(1.1) A road permit may do one or more of the following:

(a) authorize the holder to, on Crown land that is in a Provincial forest and is in the right of way of the road,

(i) manage and use that land for sand pits, gravel pits, rock quarries or other quarries that are in the right of way, and

(ii) use the materials in the pits and quarries referred to in subparagraph (i) for maintaining the road or, if applicable, constructing the road;

(b) specify the date by which the road must be deactivated;

(c) include other terms and conditions that are consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts.

(2) A road permit associated with a timber sale licence may include provisions

(a) specifying standards and programs established by one or more standard making bodies,

(b) requiring the holder of the permit to meet the standards and programs specified under paragraph (a), and

(c) specifying the manner in which the holder of the permit must conduct operations under the permit in order to meet the standards and programs specified under paragraph (a).

Deactivation of roads authorized under road permits

118.1   (1) In this section, "deactivate", in relation to a road, means to deactivate the road in accordance with the requirements under the Forest and Range Practices Act that apply to the deactivation of the road.

(2) Except in prescribed circumstances, the holder of a road permit must deactivate a road authorized under the road permit by the earliest of the following:

(a) the date on which

(i) the road permit expires or is surrendered, or

(ii) rights under the road permit that relate to the road expire or are surrendered;

(b) the date of deactivation specified in the road permit;

(c) the date of deactivation specified by the minister under section 77 (6) on cancelling the road permit.

Road use permit content

119   (1) A road use permit must describe the forest service road that the holder may use.

(2) A road use permit may include terms and conditions that are consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts.

Repealed

120   [Repealed 2003-32-23.]

Declaration of forest service road

120.1   (1) The minister may declare a road on Crown land to be a forest service road if any of the following applies:

(a) the road is the subject of a road permit;

(b) the road is a forest resource road within the meaning of section 21.1 of the Forest and Range Practices Act;

(c) the road is constructed or maintained by the minister under section 121 (1) of this Act, or is on private land taken by the minister under that section;

(d) the road is on land dedicated to the government under section 121 (8) of this Act.

(2) If a road referred to in subsection (1) (a) is declared to be a forest service road, the minister must grant a road use permit in relation to the road to the holder of the road permit.

Road and trail construction

121   (1) The minister, for the purpose of providing access to timber or for any other purpose consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act or the Wildfire Act may do one or more of the following:

(a) construct and maintain roads and trails;

(b) enter on and take possession of private land, and of roads and trails on private land;

(c) enter on private land and take from it timber, stones, gravel, sand, clay or other materials for the purpose of constructing roads and trails;

(d) construct, take possession of and use temporarily roads for the purposes of paragraph (c);

(e) enter on private land and construct and maintain on it drains to carry water from a road;

(f) enter into an agreement with an owner of land, under section 3 (1) of the Expropriation Act or otherwise, that provides for the dedication of the land, in accordance with subsection (8) of this section, to the government for use as a road.

(2) If private land is taken under subsection (1) (b) and, as a result of the taking, the total area in the original grant of the private land from the government or Her Majesty in right of Canada, that is taken by the government

(a) [Repealed 2004-44-105.]

(b) under this Act

since the date of the original grant from the government or Her Majesty in right of Canada, exceeds 5% of the total area in the original grant, the government must pay compensation in respect of the area exceeding 5%.

(3) If, since the date of the government grant, private land taken under subsection (1) has been subdivided into 2 or more parcels by a registered conveyance or subdivision plan,

(a) the area of a parcel that may be taken without compensation must not exceed 5% of the area of the parcel, and

(b) the total area to be taken without compensation must be apportioned among all parcels, portions of which are taken at the same time, in proportion to the area taken from each.

(4) The government must pay compensation in respect of improvements on all private land taken under subsection (1).

(5) If land is expropriated under subsection (1), the Expropriation Act applies.

(6) [Repealed 2004-44-105.]

(7) [Repealed 2021-37-23.]

(8) If the minister enters into an agreement under subsection (1) (f) with an owner of land, the minister may, for the purposes of causing the land to be dedicated to the government under section 107 of the Land Title Act, deposit in the land title office a reference plan or explanatory plan that shows the portion of land subject to the agreement as a road and, in that event, section 107 (1) (c), (d) and (e) and (3) of the Land Title Act applies to that portion of land.

(9) The minister

(a) may, by notice in the form established under paragraph (a.1) and published or broadcast, or both, in the manner the minister considers appropriate, discontinue and close a right of way or forest service road or a part of either, in which event the right of way or forest service road or the part is discontinued and closed,

(i) if the notice specifies the date on which and the time at which the discontinuance and closure become effective, on that specified date and at that specified time,

(ii) if the notice specifies the date on which but not the time at which the discontinuance and closure become effective, at the beginning of that specified date, or

(iii) if the notice specifies neither the date on which nor the time at which the discontinuance and closure become effective, at the beginning of the day following the day on which the first of such publications or broadcasts occurred,

(a.1) may establish a form of notice for the purposes of paragraph (a),

(b) may limit a discontinuance and closure under paragraph (a) to a specified period,

(c) may assign a right of way or forest service road or a part of either to the minister responsible for the administration of the Transportation Act, and

(d) in the case of a discontinuance or closure not limited to a specified period, may dispose of any land that was comprised in the right of way or forest service road to

(i) an owner of the land of which the right of way or forest service road originally formed part, or

(ii) an owner of land adjoining that land.

Part 9 — Marine Log Salvage

Repealed

121.1   [Repealed 2011-13-88.]

Log salvage district

122   The minister, by publishing a notice in the Gazette, may

(a) establish an area of British Columbia as a log salvage district, and

(b) abolish, or change the boundaries of, a log salvage district.

Receiving station licence

123   (1) The minister may grant to a person who meets the prescribed qualifications a receiving station licence authorizing its holder to accept delivery of salvaged logs within a log salvage district.

(2) A receiving station licence must contain the terms and conditions, consistent with this Act and the regulations, determined by the minister.

(3) The holder of a receiving station licence must,

(a) after the date specified in the licence, maintain facilities in the log salvage district for receiving, storing and sorting salvaged logs,

(b) dispose of salvaged logs in the prescribed manner,

(c) pay to the government the prescribed licence fees,

(d) account for, hold, disburse and use the revenue the holder of the receiving station receives from the sale of salvaged logs in the prescribed manner, and

(e) subject to the regulations, pay to holders of log salvage permits for salvaged logs delivered to the holder of the receiving station or a place specified by that holder, compensation in the prescribed amount.

(4) If a holder of a receiving station licence fails to comply with the licence, this Part or the regulations respecting log salvage, the minister may suspend the licence for a period of time and, whether or not the licence is under suspension, may cancel the licence.

(5) Before the minister cancels a receiving station licence the minister must give the holder of the licence an opportunity to be heard.

(6) A log receiving station licence granted under the former Act continues in force under this Act as a receiving station licence.

Log salvage permit

124   (1) Subject to the regulations, a person must not salvage logs in a log salvage district without a log salvage permit.

(2) The minister may grant a log salvage permit to a person who meets the prescribed qualifications.

(3) A log salvage permit must contain the terms and conditions, consistent with this Act and the regulations, determined by the minister.

(4) If the holder of a log salvage permit no longer meets the prescribed qualifications or fails to comply with the permit, this Part or the regulations respecting log salvage,

(a) the minister may suspend the permit for a period of time, and

(b) the minister, whether or not the permit is under suspension, may cancel the permit.

(5) Before the minister cancels a log salvage permit the minister must give the permit holder an opportunity to be heard.

Disposal and acquisition of salvaged logs

125   A person must not dispose of a log salvaged from a log salvage district and a person must not accept delivery of a log salvaged from a log salvage district, except as provided in the regulations.

Area closure

126   (1) If notified that logs have been lost in an area of coastal waters, the minister, in a notice published or broadcast, or both, in or near the area may

(a) order that the area described in the notice be closed to log salvaging for a period not exceeding 10 days for each order, and

(b) amend the description of the area and, subject to the 10 day maximum, extend or shorten the period of the order.

(2) While an area is closed a person, other than the owner of a log or the owner's agent, must not salvage a log in the area described in the order.

Part 10 — Manufacture in British Columbia

Crown timber to be used in British Columbia

127   Unless exempted under this Part, timber that is harvested from Crown land, from land granted by the government after March 12, 1906 or from land granted by the government before March 12, 1906 in a tree farm licence area, and wood residue produced from the timber, must be

(a) used in British Columbia, or

(b) manufactured in British Columbia into wood products to the extent of manufacture specified by regulation.

Attempt to export timber or wood residue

127.1   A person must not attempt to remove from British Columbia

(a) timber that is harvested from

(i) Crown land,

(ii) land granted by the government after March 12, 1906, or

(iii) land granted by the government before March 12, 1906 in a tree farm licence area, or

(b) wood residue produced from timber referred to in paragraph (a),

unless the timber or wood residue is exempted under this Part.

Exemptions

128   (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may exempt from section 127

(a) a species of timber or kind of wood residue and may limit the volume of a species of timber or kind of wood residue to which the exemption applies for a period or for successive periods of time, and

(b) a volume of timber, whether or not harvested, or a volume of a wood residue, on receiving an application in a form required by the minister.

(2) On receiving an application in the form required by the minister, the minister may exempt from section 127

(a) a volume of timber that has been harvested, not exceeding 15 000 m3 for each application, and

(b) a volume of wood residue, not exceeding 200 000 bone dry units for each application.

(3) An exemption must not be given under this section unless the Lieutenant Governor in Council or the minister, as the case may be, is satisfied that

(a) the timber or wood residue will be surplus to requirements of timber processing facilities in British Columbia,

(b) the timber or wood residue cannot be processed economically in the vicinity of the land from which it is cut or produced, and cannot be transported economically to a processing facility located elsewhere in British Columbia, or

(c) the exemption would prevent the waste of or improve the utilization of timber cut from Crown land.

Exemption conditions and permit

129   An exemption made under section 128 may

(a) stipulate conditions to be met and fees to be paid to the government, and

(b) provide for the granting of a permit in respect of the timber or wood residue described in the exemption.

Part 11 — Recovery of Money, Miscellaneous

Division 1 — Recovery of Money

Lien

130   (1) Money that is required to be paid to the government under the circumstances set out in subsection (1.1)

(a) is due and payable by the date specified for payment in a statement to, or notice served on, the person who is required to pay it,

(b) bears interest as prescribed, and in the case of an amount due under

(i) section 108, the interest runs from the date determined by the minister to be the date stumpage or royalty would have been due if the timber referred to in section 108 had been scaled correctly under Part 6,

(ii) an assessment made under section 142.51 (5) or 142.61 (4) (a), the interest runs from the date determined by the commissioner to be the date stumpage would have been due if none of the events referred to in section 142.51 (1) (a) to (d) had occurred, and

(iii) an assessment made under section 142.52 (6) or 142.61 (4) (b), the interest runs from the applicable date on which the fee in lieu is deemed to have been due under section 142.52 (7),

(c) may be recovered in a court as a debt due to the government, and

(d) constitutes, in favour of the government,

(i) a lien on timber, lumber, veneer, plywood, pulp, newsprint, special forest products and wood residue owned by the person who owes the money, and

(ii) a lien on chattels or an interest in them, other than chattels referred to in subparagraph (i), owned by the person who owes the money.

(1.1) The circumstances referred to in subsection (1) are that money is required to be paid

(a) under this Act, the former Act, the Range Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act or the Wildfire Act,

(b) under an agreement entered into under this Act, the former Act or the Range Act,

(c) under a permit issued under the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act or the Wildfire Act, or

(d) for goods, services or both provided by the ministry.

(2) A lien under subsection (1) (d) (i) has priority over all other claims, and a lien under subsection (1) (d) (ii) has priority over all other claims other than claims secured by liens, charges and encumbrances registered against the chattels before the money is due and payable.

(3) A lien constituted under subsection (1) is not lost or impaired only because

(a) proceedings to recover the money are taken or not,

(b) partial payment of the money is tendered or accepted, or

(c) the lien is not registered.

(4) If default is made in the payment of all or part of the money due and payable, the revenue minister may issue, and file with a court having jurisdiction, a certificate stating

(a) the amount that remains unpaid, including interest, and

(b) the name of the person who is required to pay it.

(5) A certificate filed under subsection (4) has the same effect as an order of the court for the recovery of a debt in the amount stated in the certificate against the person named in it, and all proceedings may be taken as if it were an order of the court.

Limitation period

130.1   (1) In this section, "proceeding" means

(a) an action for the recovery of money under section 130 (1),

(b) the enforcement of a lien under section 130 (1), and

(c) the filing of a certificate under section 130 (4).

(2) A proceeding may be commenced at any time within 7 years of the date that money claimed in the proceeding or to which the proceeding relates became due and payable under section 130 (1) (a).

(3) Despite subsection (2), a proceeding that relates to a contravention of this Act or the regulations and that involves wilful default or fraud may be commenced at any time.

(4) Section 24 of the Limitation Act applies to the limitation period set by this section.

Person acquiring or dealing in timber responsible for payment

131   A person who acquires or deals in timber on which stumpage or royalty has not been paid must

(a) report the acquisition or dealing to a person designated by the minister, in a form required by the minister, not later than 10 days following the date on which the event occurred, and

(b) pay to the government all money payable to the government in respect of the timber under this Act or under an agreement entered into under this Act.

Removal permit

132   (1) The minister may order a person who has failed to pay money owing to the government by the date specified in a statement under section 130 (1) (a) to pay up to 10% of the fair market value, as estimated by the minister, of

(a) timber, or

(b) products manufactured from timber

that are from time to time located at the person's place of business.

(2) A person who is subject to an order under subsection (1) must not remove or dispose of timber, or any products manufactured from timber, that are from time to time located at the person's place of business unless

(a) the person complies with the order and receives a permit under subsection (3) for the timber, or the products manufactured from timber, that are removed or disposed of,

(b) the person is no longer in default, or

(c) the minister rescinds the order.

(3) On application the minister must issue a permit in respect of specific timber or specific products manufactured from timber to a person if satisfied that the person has paid the amount required under the order in respect of the specific timber or products.

(4) Amounts paid to the government under this section must be applied to the default.

Powers cumulative

133   (1) The powers in this Division for the government to recover money by proceeding in court, or by filing a certificate, and the powers of seizure and sale under the Forest and Range Practices Act, may be exercised separately, concurrently or cumulatively.

(2) The imposition of a fine or penalty on a person under this Act or the Forest and Range Practices Act does not affect the powers of the government in this Division.

Division 2 — Miscellaneous

Repealed

134   [Repealed 1999-10-17.]

Repealed

135   [Repealed 2003-31-64.]

Records and returns

136   (1) In this section, "fibre supply arrangement" means a contract or other arrangement for timber or wood residue to be regularly or periodically supplied to

(a) a timber processing facility in British Columbia, or

(b) a prescribed facility in British Columbia.

(2) This section applies to the following persons, unless exempted by regulation:

(a) the holder of an agreement under this Act;

(b) a person who harvests timber;

(c) a person who buys or sells timber;

(d) an operator of a timber processing facility;

(e) a party to a fibre supply arrangement;

(f) a prescribed person.

(3) A person referred to in subsection (2) must, in accordance with the regulations, if any, keep accurate records of the following, as applicable to the person:

(a) with respect to timber harvesting,

(i) the volume of timber harvested,

(ii) the nature and extent of silviculture carried out, and

(iii) the costs of each of the following:

(A) timber harvesting;

(B) transporting, by any means, harvested timber;

(C) constructing and maintaining logging roads and bridges;

(D) forest management administration;

(E) silviculture carried out;

(b) with respect to buying or selling timber,

(i) the volumes and prices of timber bought or sold,

(ii) the costs of buying and selling timber, and

(iii) sales information related to timber;

(c) with respect to timber processing facilities,

(i) the volumes of, and prices paid for, timber and wood residue acquired for the facility,

(ii) the volume of timber and wood residue processed at the facility,

(iii) the costs of processing timber and wood residue at the facility,

(iv) the volumes and prices of timber and wood residue distributed from the facility,

(v) sales information related to timber and wood residue produced at the facility, and

(vi) financial statements, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(d) prescribed information in relation to fibre supply arrangements;

(e) other prescribed information.

(4) A person referred to in subsection (2) must report to the minister, in the form and manner and at the times required by the minister, information recorded under subsection (3).

(5) For the purposes of administering this Act, the following persons may inspect, at any reasonable time, a record kept under subsection (3):

(a) in the case of a record relevant to a BC timber sales agreement, a timber sales manager;

(b) in any case, a person designated by the minister.

Limits on disclosure of reported information

136.1   (1) Subject to subsection (2), a person employed in the ministry of the minister must not disclose the following information reported under section 136 (4):

(a) information described in section 136 (3) (a) (iii) and (b) to (d);

(b) if specified by regulation, information prescribed under section 136 (3) (e).

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the information is disclosed

(a) in accordance with a lawful requirement to disclose the information,

(b) with the consent of the person who reported the information,

(c) as part of a summary that presents the information in such a way that it cannot be connected with the person who reported it,

(d) for the purposes of administering this Act, or for a purpose under this Act, to a minister or a person employed in the government, or

(e) for use in a civil proceeding, administrative proceeding or arbitration that

(i) involves the government, and

(ii) relates to a matter under this Act.

(3) Contravention of subsection (1) is just cause for dismissal.

Information about security interests held in agreement

136.2   (1) In this section, "security interest" means an interest, in an agreement under this Act, that secures payment or performance of an obligation.

(2) On the request of the minister, a person who holds an agreement under this Act must provide to the minister, at the time specified by the minister, information in relation to any security interests in the agreement.

Information about affiliates of corporate agreement holders

136.3   (1) In this section, "affiliate" means an affiliate within the meaning of section 53 that is a person referred to in section 136 (2).

(2) On the request of the minister, a corporation that holds an agreement under this Act must provide to the minister, at the time specified by the minister, the following information about each affiliate of the corporation:

(a) the name of the affiliate;

(b) the incorporation number of the affiliate;

(c) the jurisdiction in which the affiliate is incorporated;

(d) prescribed information.

Entry on land

137   (1) The chief forester, a timber sales manager, a district manager, a forest officer authorized by any of them or any other person authorized by the chief forester

(a) for the purposes of the administration and enforcement of this Act, the regulations, or an agreement entered into under this Act, or

(b) to verify a statement made in an application for an agreement under this Act,

at all reasonable times may enter any land, but must not enter a dwelling without the consent of the owner or occupier.

(2) A peace officer has the powers of the minister under subsection (1) with respect to the enforcement of the provisions of this Act and the regulations respecting marine log salvage.

Repealed

138-139   [Repealed 2003-55-87.]

How notice or document may be served

140   (1) A notice or other document that the government is required or permitted to serve on a person under this Act may be served by giving it or a copy of it to the person as follows:

(a) if the person is an individual,

(i) by leaving it with the individual,

(ii) by leaving it at the individual's last or most usual place of residence with someone who is or appears to be at least 16 years of age, or

(iii) by mailing it by registered mail to the individual's last known postal address;

(b) if the person is a corporation

(i) by leaving it with

(A) a director, officer or manager of the corporation,

(B) a receptionist at a place of business of the corporation, or

(C) if the corporation is an extraprovincial company within the meaning of the Business Corporations Act, the corporation's attorney, if any, within the meaning of that Act,

(ii) by leaving it at the registered office of the corporation if the corporation is a company within the meaning of the Business Corporations Act or, if that office has been eliminated under section 40 of the Business Corporations Act, the address ordered by the court under section 40 (4) (b) of that Act, or

(iii) by mailing it by registered mail to

(A) the registered office of the corporation or, if that office has been eliminated under section 40 of the Business Corporations Act, the address ordered by the court under section 40 (4) (b) of that Act,

(B) if the corporation is an extraprovincial company within the meaning of the Business Corporations Act, the corporation's attorney, if any, within the meaning of that Act, or

(C) an address for service provided by the corporation;

(c) if the person is a municipal corporation, regional district or other local government body, by leaving it with or sending it by registered mail to the local government corporate officer, the deputy of that officer or some similar local government officer.

(2) A notice or other document that is mailed to a person by registered mail under subsection (1) is conclusively deemed to be served on the person on the eighth day after it is mailed.

(3) This section does not apply to a notice of assessment issued under Part 11.1.

Extension of time

141   Except with respect to the government, the minister may extend a time required for doing anything under this Act.

Duty to comply with orders, exemptions and conditions

141.1   If a person is the subject of an order, exemption or condition under this Act, the person must comply with the order, exemption or condition.

Personal liability

142   No person who is a

(a) peace officer,

(b) forest officer,

(c) district manager,

(c.1) timber sales manager,

(d) regional manager,

(e) chief forester, or

(f) member of the Forest Appeals Commission or an arbiter or a person exercising a power or performing a duty in connection with a mediation, arbitration or appeal provided for by regulation

is personally liable for loss or damage suffered by a person because of anything done or omitted in the exercise or purported exercise of a power under this Act or the Range Act unless it was done in bad faith.

Part 11.1 — Inspections, Audits and Assessments

Division 1 — Interpretation and Application

Definitions and application

142.1   (1) In this Part:

"assessment" includes reassessment;

"exemption" means an exemption given under section 128;

"fee in lieu" means a fee stipulated in an exemption;

"forest revenue official" means a person who is designated as a forest revenue official under section 142.11 (2) and includes, other than in section 142.11, the commissioner;

"permit" means a permit referred to in section 129 (b);

"scale" has the same meaning as in section 93.

(2) This Part applies to the following:

(a) the harvesting of Crown timber if the harvesting occurs on or after March 30, 2006;

(b) stumpage and the payment of stumpage if the stumpage relates to Crown timber harvested on or after March 30, 2006;

(c) the removal from British Columbia of timber referred to in section 127.1 (a) or wood residue referred to in section 127.1 (b) if the removal occurs on or after November 25, 2021;

(d) a fee in lieu and the payment of a fee in lieu if the fee in lieu relates to

(i) a permit granted under an exemption on or after November 25, 2021, or

(ii) timber referred to in section 127.1 (a) or wood residue referred to in section 127.1 (b) that is removed from British Columbia on or after November 25, 2021.

Division 2 — Inspection and Collection of Information

Officials

142.11   (1) The revenue minister may designate a person by name or title as the commissioner.

(2) The commissioner may designate a person by name or title as a forest revenue official.

(3) The commissioner may delegate, with or without conditions, any of the commissioner's powers, functions or duties under this Part to a person or a class of persons.

Entry on land or premises

142.2   (1) Subject to subsection (2), a forest revenue official may enter, at any reasonable time, on any land or premises and conduct an inspection or audit referred to in section 142.21 for the purposes of ensuring compliance with the provisions of this Act, the regulations or an agreement that relate to any of the following:

(a) the harvesting of Crown timber;

(b) stumpage or the payment of stumpage;

(c) the removal from British Columbia of timber referred to in section 127.1 (a) or wood residue referred to in section 127.1 (b);

(d) a fee in lieu or the payment of a fee in lieu.

(2) A forest revenue official may not enter a dwelling under subsection (1) unless a person who occupies the dwelling consents or a warrant authorizes the entry.

(3) If satisfied by evidence given under oath that entry into a dwelling is necessary in order to exercise the powers under section 142.21 (a), a justice may issue a warrant, subject to any conditions the justice considers appropriate, authorizing a forest revenue official to enter the dwelling.

(4) The commissioner may apply for a warrant under subsection (3) without notice to any other person.

Inspection

142.21   A forest revenue official who enters on land or premises under section 142.2 may

(a) inspect or conduct an audit of any record, or inspect any thing or any activity, that is related to information or records required to be kept by the person or to be provided to the government under this Act or an agreement entered into under this Act, and

(b) require production of and copy any record referred to in paragraph (a).

Retention of records

142.3   (1) Subject to this section, a person who is required to keep records under this Act must keep each record in a prescribed category of records for a period of 6 years after the date the record was created.

(2) If a person referred to in subsection (1) files a document under section 142.6 (3) or (3.1) consenting to waive section 142.6 (1) and allowing the commissioner to consider a different period in making an assessment, the person must keep all records related to the making of the assessment for the longer of the following periods:

(a) 6 years after the date the record was created;

(b) 90 days after the waiver ceases to have effect.

(3) If a person referred to in subsection (1) is assessed under section 142.42 (1), 142.51 (4) or (5), 142.52 (4), (5) or (6) or 142.61 (1), (2) or (4), the person must keep all records related to the assessment for the longer of the following periods:

(a) 6 years after the date the record was created;

(b) the time for all appeals of the assessment has elapsed.

(4) On receipt of a written request, the commissioner may authorize the destruction of a record before the end of the period required under this section.

Delivery of records

142.31   (1) For the purposes described in section 142.2 (1), a forest revenue official may require a person, by serving a demand notice on that person, to provide information and produce specified records that the person is required to keep or provide to the government.

(2) On receipt of a demand notice under subsection (1), a person must prepare and deliver to the forest revenue official the information and records required within the time specified in the demand notice.

(3) A forest revenue official must not require a person under subsection (1) to provide information or records relating to a person referred to in section 142.51 (4) (a) or (b) or 142.52 (4) or (5) (a) or (b) who is unnamed, unless

(a) the commissioner first obtains the authorization of a judge under subsection (5) of this section, or

(b) the requirement under subsection (1) is imposed in the circumstances, if any, prescribed for a person who is within a prescribed class of persons.

(4) The commissioner may apply for an authorization under subsection (5) with or without notice to any other person.

(5) A judge of the Supreme Court, subject to any conditions the judge considers appropriate, may make an order authorizing the commissioner to require a person under subsection (1) to provide information or records related to an unnamed person, if satisfied by evidence given under oath that

(a) the identity of the unnamed person referred to is ascertainable, and

(b) the requirement under subsection (1) is for the purpose of verifying that the unnamed person is in compliance with any obligation under this Act.

(6) If authorization is granted under subsection (5), a copy of the court order must be served together with the demand notice referred to in subsection (1).

(7) If a person

(a) did not have notice of an application made under subsection (4), and

(b) is served with a court order granting an authorization under subsection (5),

the person, within 15 days of the service of the order, may apply to the Supreme Court for a review of the order.

(8) On hearing an application under subsection (7), a judge may

(a) cancel the authorization previously granted, if the judge is not satisfied that the conditions in subsection (5) (a) and (b) have been met, or

(b) confirm or vary the authorization, if the judge is satisfied that those conditions have been met.

(9) Nothing in subsection (1) affects solicitor-client privilege.

Obligation of a forest revenue official

142.4   A forest revenue official who, under this Division, enters on land or premises, conducts an inspection or audit or requests information or records must provide proof of identity, on the request of the person who

(a) is in possession or apparent possession of the land or premises,

(b) has apparent custody or control of the records or property being inspected or audited, or

(c) is in charge of the activity being inspected or audited.

Obligation of person on request of forest revenue official

142.41   A person who

(a) is in possession or apparent possession of land or premises entered on by a forest revenue official under this Division,

(b) has apparent custody or control of records or property being inspected or audited, or

(c) is in charge of an activity being inspected or audited,

must produce, if and as requested by the forest revenue official,

(d) proof of identity, and

(e) any information and any record required under section 142.21.

Penalty for failure to provide information

142.42   (1) If the commissioner is satisfied that a person has failed to comply with

(a) a demand notice served under section 142.31, or

(b) a request made under section 142.41 (e),

the commissioner may assess against the person, in addition to any other penalty, a penalty equal to the product obtained by multiplying $100 and the number of days during which the failure continues, to a maximum penalty of $10 000.

(2) Sections 142.7 to 142.81 apply in relation to an assessment made under subsection (1) of this section, as if an assessment made under subsection (1) of this section were an assessment made under a provision referred to in section 142.7 (a) to (c).

(3) This section and section 142.43 apply with respect to

(a) a demand notice under section 142.31, if the demand notice is served on or after the date this section comes into force, and

(b) a request under section 142.41 (e), if the request is made on or after the date this section comes into force.

Order for compliance

142.43   (1) If the commissioner considers that a person has failed to comply with

(a) a demand notice served under section 142.31, or

(b) a request made under section 142.41 (e),

the commissioner may apply to the Supreme Court for either or both of the following:

(c) an order directing the person to comply with the demand notice or request;

(d) an order directing the directors and officers of the person to cause the person to comply with the demand notice or request.

(2) On application by the commissioner under this section, the Supreme Court may make an order it considers appropriate.

Evidence

142.5   An affidavit by a forest revenue official that states the facts necessary to establish

(a) compliance with section 142.4 by the forest revenue official and default under section 142.41 by a person to whom a request was made, or

(b) default by a person served with a demand notice under section 142.31

must be admitted as evidence in any court and is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of the facts stated.

Division 3 — Assessment of Stumpage, Fees in Lieu, Penalties and Interest

Assessment of estimated stumpage and interest

142.51   (1) If it appears to the commissioner, from an inspection or audit of any records or from other information available, that one or more of the following has occurred, the commissioner may estimate, in accordance with subsections (2) and (3), the total amount of stumpage required to be paid in respect of the Crown timber harvested:

(a) some or all of the Crown timber harvested was

(i) not scaled,

(ii) inaccurately scaled,

(iii) not reported in a scale, or

(iv) reported incorrectly in a scale;

(b) the volume or quantity or quality of some or all of the Crown timber was calculated on the basis of incorrect information provided by a cruise of the timber or on the basis of other incorrect information;

(c) the incorrect rate was applied to some or all of the Crown timber harvested;

(d) the information relating to the Crown timber harvested that is required to be provided to the government under this Act or under an agreement entered into under this Act was incomplete or inaccurate, or was not provided.

(2) In making an estimate under subsection (1), the commissioner must multiply

(a) the commissioner's estimate of the volume or quantity of the Crown timber harvested, and

(b) the sum of the commissioner's estimate of

(i) the rate of stumpage applicable to the Crown timber, and

(ii) the bonus bid, if any, offered or the bonus bid that in the opinion of the commissioner would likely have been offered in respect of the Crown timber harvested without authorization.

(3) The commissioner may make an estimate under subsection (2) (a) or (b) in a manner and form and by a procedure the commissioner considers adequate and expedient.

(4) If an estimate is made under subsection (1), the commissioner may assess

(a) the person who harvested the Crown timber, and

(b) a person who acquires, has acquired, deals in or has dealt in the Crown timber harvested

for the amount estimated under subsection (1), less the amount of stumpage that the government has previously billed for that Crown timber.

(5) After assessing a person under subsection (4), the commissioner may assess the amount of interest payable under section 130 (1) (b) (ii) on the amount assessed.

Assessment of estimated fee in lieu and interest

142.52   (1) If it appears to the commissioner, from an inspection or audit of any records or from other information available, that an amount of a fee in lieu is required to be paid in respect of a permit granted under an exemption, the commissioner may estimate the amount of the fee in lieu.

(2) If it appears to the commissioner, from an inspection or audit of any records or from other information available, that

(a) timber or wood residue to which an exemption applies has been removed from British Columbia, and

(b) a permit required under the exemption was not granted in respect of the removal of the timber or wood residue,

the commissioner may estimate the amount of the fee in lieu that would have been required to be paid in respect of the permit if the permit had been granted.

(3) The commissioner may make an estimate under subsection (1) or (2) in a manner and form and by a procedure the commissioner considers adequate.

(4) If an estimate is made under subsection (1), the commissioner may assess the holder of the permit for the amount estimated under that subsection.

(5) If an estimate is made under subsection (2), the commissioner may assess one or both of the following for the amount estimated under that subsection:

(a) the person who removed from British Columbia the timber or wood residue;

(b) a person who, for compensation or reward, arranged or facilitated the removal from British Columbia of the timber or wood residue.

(6) After assessing a person under subsection (4) or (5), the commissioner may assess the amount of interest payable under section 130 (1) (b) (iii) on the amount assessed.

(7) For the purposes of this Part and section 130,

(a) a fee in lieu estimated under subsection (1) is deemed to have been due on the date on which the permit was granted, and

(b) a fee in lieu estimated under subsection (2) is deemed to have been due on January 1 of the year in which the timber or wood residue referred to in that subsection was removed from British Columbia.

Period to be considered in making an assessment

142.6   (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (4), in making an assessment under section 142.51 (4) or 142.52 (4) or (5), the commissioner must not consider or include a period greater than 6 years before the date of issue of the first notice of assessment issued with respect to the timber or wood residue that is the subject of the assessment.

(2) If an assessment under section 142.51 (4) or 142.52 (4) or (5) is based on one or more events that involve wilful default or fraud by a person, the commissioner may consider and include any period in making an assessment against the person under section 142.51 or 142.52, as applicable.

(3) If a person referred to in section 142.51 (4) (a) or (b) files a document with the commissioner in a form and containing the information required by the commissioner within a period of 6 years from the date stumpage would have been due if none of the events referred to in section 142.51 (1) (a) to (d) had occurred, consenting to waive subsection (1) of this section and to allow the commissioner in making an assessment under section 142.51 to consider a different period, the commissioner may consider any period to which the person consents.

(3.1) If a person referred to in section 142.52 (4) or (5) (a) or (b) files a document with the commissioner in a form and containing the information required by the commissioner within a period of 6 years from the date the fee in lieu referred to in section 142.52 (1) or (2), as applicable, is deemed to have been due under section 142.52 (7), consenting to waive subsection (1) of this section and to allow the commissioner in making an assessment under section 142.52 to consider a different period, the commissioner may consider any period to which the person consents.

(4) A waiver filed under subsection (3) or (3.1) continues in effect for 6 months after the person files with the commissioner a notice revoking the waiver in the form and containing the information required by the commissioner.

Penalty

142.61   (1) If the commissioner is satisfied that an assessment against a person under section 142.51 (4) or 142.52 (4) or (5) is based on the person's wilful

(a) contravention of this Act, the regulations or an agreement entered into under this Act, or

(b) provision of a false or deceptive statement,

the commissioner may assess against the person, in addition to any other penalty, a penalty that does not exceed 100% of the assessment under that section.

(2) If the commissioner is satisfied that an assessment against a person under section 142.51 (4) or 142.52 (4) or (5) is based on the person's contravention of this Act, the regulations or an agreement entered into under this Act, the commissioner may assess against the person, in addition to any other penalty, a penalty that does not exceed 25% of the assessment under that section.

(3) If the commissioner assesses a penalty under subsection (1) against a person, the commissioner may not impose a penalty under subsection (2) with respect to the same assessment against that person.

(4) After assessing a penalty against a person under subsection (1) or (2), the commissioner may do the following:

(a) if the penalty is assessed in relation to an assessment made under section 142.51 (4), assess the amount of interest payable under section 130 (1) (b) (ii) on the amount assessed for the penalty;

(b) if the penalty is assessed in relation to an assessment made under section 142.52 (4) or (5), assess the amount of interest payable under section 130 (1) (b) (iii) on the amount assessed for the penalty.

Payment of assessed amount

142.7   In addition to any other money required to be paid to the government in the circumstances set out in section 130 (1.1), a person assessed under any of the following provisions must pay to the government the amount assessed under that provision:

(a) section 142.51 (4) or (5);

(b) section 142.52 (4), (5) or (6);

(c) section 142.61 (1), (2) or (4).

Notice of assessment

142.71   After making an assessment under a provision referred to in section 142.7 (a) to (c), the commissioner must serve on the person assessed a notice of assessment that sets out the amount assessed under the provision.

Serving a notice of assessment

142.8   (1) A notice of assessment required to be served on a person under section 142.71 must be served in one of the following ways:

(a) by leaving the notice of assessment with the person;

(b) by sending the notice of assessment

(i) by ordinary mail or registered mail to the person's address,

(ii) by electronic mail to the person's electronic mail address, or

(iii) by facsimile to the person's facsimile number

as last known to the commissioner.

(2) A notice of assessment served in accordance with subsection (1) (b) is deemed to have been received on the date the notice of assessment was sent.

(3) If a person carries on business under a name or style other than the person's own name, the notice of assessment may be addressed to the name or style under which the person carries on business and, in the case of leaving the notice of assessment with a person, the notice of assessment is deemed to have been validly served if left with an adult person employed at the place of business of the addressee.

(4) If persons carry on business in partnership, the notice of assessment may be addressed to the partnership name and, in the case of leaving the notice of assessment with a person, the notice of assessment is deemed to have been validly served if left with one of the partners or left with an adult person employed at the place of business of the partnership.

(5) Proof of the receipt by a person of the notice of assessment may be established in any court by showing that the notice of assessment was sent in accordance with this section, and the burden of proof is on the person seeking to establish the fact that the notice of assessment was not received by that person.

Proof and onus

142.81   (1) Evidence that an assessment has been made under a provision referred to in section 142.7 (a) to (c) is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the amount assessed is due and owing in accordance with the notice of assessment referred to in section 142.71, and the onus of proving otherwise is on the person liable to pay the amount assessed.

(2) Subject to being amended, changed or varied on appeal under this Part, an amount assessed under a provision referred to in section 142.7 (a) to (c) is valid and binding despite any error, defect or omission in the estimate or assessment or in procedure.

Division 4 — Appeals of Assessments

Appeal to revenue minister

142.9   (1) If a person disputes an assessment made under any of the following provisions, the person or the person's agent may appeal to the revenue minister in accordance with this section:

(a) section 142.42 (1);

(b) section 142.51 (4) or (5);

(c) section 142.52 (4), (5) or (6);

(d) section 142.61 (1), (2) or (4).

(2) An appeal under this section may be commenced by serving a notice of appeal on the revenue minister within 90 days of the date that the notice of assessment referred to in section 142.71 is served on the appellant.

(3) The notice of appeal must

(a) be in writing,

(b) be addressed to the revenue minister in the City of Victoria, and

(c) set out clearly the reasons for the appeal and all the facts relevant to it.

(4) On receiving the notice of appeal, the revenue minister must

(a) consider the matter,

(b) affirm, amend, change or vary the assessment or penalty, and

(c) promptly notify the appellant in writing of the result of the appeal.

(5) The revenue minister may, in writing and with or without conditions, delegate any of the revenue minister's powers, functions or duties under this section to a person or a class of persons.

Appeal to court

142.91   (1) A decision of the revenue minister under section 142.9 may be appealed to the Supreme Court by way of a petition proceeding.

(2) The Supreme Court Civil Rules relating to petition proceedings apply to appeals under this section, but Rule 18-3 of those rules does not apply.

(3) A petition commencing an appeal under this section must be filed in the court registry within 90 days of the date of the revenue minister's notification of the result of the appeal.

(4) Within 14 days of the filing of a petition under subsection (3), the petition must be served on the government in accordance with section 8 of the Crown Proceeding Act and in the petition the government must be designated "Her Majesty the Queen in right of the Province of British Columbia".

(5) An appeal under this section is a new hearing that is not limited to the evidence and issues that were before the revenue minister.

(6) The Supreme Court may

(a) dismiss the appeal,

(b) allow the appeal,

(c) vary the decision from which the appeal is made, or

(d) refer the decision back to the commissioner for reconsideration.

(7) [Repealed 2021-18-19.]

Affect of pending appeals

142.92   Neither the serving of a notice of appeal by a person nor a delay in the hearing of the appeal

(a) affects the date of payment, the interest or penalties or the liability for payment in respect of the assessment that is the subject matter of the appeal, or

(b) delays collection of the assessment.

Part 12 does not apply

142.921   Part 12 does not apply to an appeal under this Division.

Division 5 — General

Information sharing

142.93   (1) In this section:

"authorized person" means a person who is engaged or employed, or was formerly engaged or employed, by or on behalf of the government, to assist in carrying out Part 11.1 of this Act;

"confidential information" means information of any kind and in any form, relating to one or more persons,

(a) that is obtained for the purposes of Part 11.1 of this Act by or on behalf of the revenue minister, or

(b) that is prepared from information referred to in paragraph (a),

but does not include information that does not directly or indirectly reveal the identity of the person to whom the information relates;

"official" means any person

(a) who is employed in the service of, is engaged by or on behalf of, or occupies a position of responsibility in the service of the government of British Columbia, another province or Canada, or

(b) who was formerly so employed or engaged or formerly occupied such a position;

"police officer" means a police officer as defined in section 462.48 (17) of the Criminal Code;

"US state official" means any person

(a) who is employed in the service of, is engaged by or on behalf of, or occupies a position of responsibility in the service of the government of a state of the United States of America, or

(b) who was formerly so employed or engaged or formerly occupied such a position.

(2) Despite any other enactment or law, except as authorized by this section, an official must not

(a) knowingly provide, or knowingly allow to be provided, any confidential information to any person,

(b) knowingly allow any person to have access to any confidential information, or

(c) knowingly use any confidential information otherwise than in the course of the administration and enforcement of this Act or for a purpose for which it was provided under this section.

(3) Despite any other enactment or law, an official must not be required, in connection with any legal proceedings, to give or produce evidence relating to any confidential information.

(4) Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply in relation to the following:

(a) criminal proceedings that have been commenced by the laying of an information or the preferring of an indictment under an Act of the Parliament of Canada;

(b) any legal proceedings relating to the administration or enforcement of any enactment of British Columbia, another province or Canada that provides for the imposition or collection of a tax or duty.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), an official may do one or more of the following:

(a) provide to any person confidential information that can reasonably be considered necessary for the purposes of the administration or enforcement of this Act or another Act administered by the minister, solely for those purposes;

(b) provide to any person confidential information that can reasonably be considered necessary for the purposes of determining

(i) any interest, penalty or other amount that is or may become payable by the person under this Act,

(ii) any refund to which the person is or may become entitled under this Act, or

(iii) any other amount that is relevant for the purposes of a determination under subparagraph (i) or (ii);

(c) provide confidential information as follows:

(i) to an official of the Department of Finance of the government of Canada, solely for the purposes of the formulation or evaluation of fiscal policy;

(ii) to an official solely for the purposes of the initial implementation of a fiscal policy;

(iii) to an official of the ministry of the minister, solely for the purposes of the formulation or evaluation of policy;

(iv) to an official of the ministry of the revenue minister, solely for the purposes of the formulation or evaluation of fiscal policy;

(v) to an official solely for the purposes of the administration or enforcement of an enactment of British Columbia that provides for the imposition or collection of a tax or duty;

(vi) to an official solely for the purposes of the administration or enforcement of an Act of the Parliament of Canada, or an enactment of another province, that provides for the imposition or collection of a tax or duty;

(vii) to an official solely for the purposes of the compilation of statistical information by the government or the government of Canada, as the case may be;

(viii) to an official solely for the purposes of setting off, against any sum of money that may be due or payable by the government, a debt due to the government;

(d) provide confidential information to a US state official solely for the purposes of the administration or enforcement of an enactment of a state of the United States of America that provides for the imposition or collection of a tax or duty;

(e) provide confidential information, or allow inspection of or access to confidential information, as the case may be, under, and solely for the purposes of,

(i) sections 44 (1) and 61 (1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, or

(ii) sections 15, 16 and 17 of the Auditor General Act;

(f) provide confidential information as provided for in, or ordered under, section 239 or 242 of the Family Law Act or section 8.2 or 9 of the Family Maintenance Enforcement Act;

(g) provide confidential information relating to a person

(i) to the person, and

(ii) with the consent of the person, to any other person;

(h) use confidential information to compile information in a form that does not directly or indirectly reveal the identity of the person to whom the information relates;

(i) provide confidential information solely for the purposes of sections 17, 18 and 19 of the Financial Administration Act;

(j) use, or provide to any person, confidential information solely for a purpose relating to the supervision, evaluation or discipline of an authorized person by the government in respect of a period during which the authorized person was employed by, or engaged by or on behalf of, the government to assist in the administration or enforcement of this Act, to the extent that the information is relevant for the purpose;

(k) provide confidential information to a police officer, solely for the purposes of an investigation into whether an offence has been committed under the Criminal Code, or the laying of an information or the preferring of an indictment, if

(i) the confidential information can reasonably be considered necessary for the purpose of ascertaining, with respect to an official, or with respect to any person related to the official,

(A) the circumstances in which an offence under the Criminal Code may have been committed, or

(B) the identity of the person who may have committed an offence under the Criminal Code,

(ii) the official was or is engaged in the administration or enforcement of this Act, and

(iii) the offence can reasonably be considered to be related to the administration or enforcement of this Act;

(l) provide confidential information to, or allow inspection of or access to confidential information by, any person otherwise legally entitled to the information under a prescribed enactment of British Columbia, solely for the purposes for which the person is entitled to the information.

(6) Except in accordance with an information-sharing agreement entered into under section 142.931, an official must not, under subsection (5) (a) to (d) and (i) to (l) of this section, provide confidential information to, or allow inspection of or access to confidential information by,

(a) an official of a public body, as defined in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, other than the ministry of the revenue minister,

(b) an official of the government of Canada,

(c) an official of the government of another province, or

(d) a US state official.

(7) An official may provide to appropriate persons any confidential information relating to imminent danger of death or physical injury to any individual.

(8) The person who presides at a legal proceeding relating to the supervision, evaluation or discipline of an authorized person may make orders necessary to ensure that confidential information is not used or provided to any person for any purpose unrelated to the proceeding, including

(a) an order that the proceeding be held in private,

(b) an order banning publication of the confidential information,

(c) an order to conceal the identity of the person to whom the confidential information relates, and

(d) an order sealing the records of the proceeding.

(9) To the extent of any inconsistency or conflict with section 32 or 33 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, this section applies despite that Act.

Information-sharing agreements

142.931   (1) In this section:

"confidential information" has the same meaning as in section 142.93;

"information-sharing agreement" means an agreement or arrangement to exchange, by electronic data transmission, electronic data matching or any other means, information for a purpose described in section 142.93 (5).

(2) The revenue minister may enter into an information-sharing agreement with

(a) a public body as defined in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act,

(b) the government of Canada or an agency of that government,

(c) the government of a province or other jurisdiction in Canada or an agency of that government, or

(d) the government of a state of the United States of America or an agency of that government.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), confidential information obtained by the revenue minister under an information-sharing agreement may be used or disclosed only for the purposes for which it was obtained under the applicable agreement.

(4) Subsection (3) does not prevent

(a) any confidential information obtained by the revenue minister under an information-sharing agreement with the government of Canada or an agency of that government from being used or disclosed for the purpose of administering and enforcing an enactment administered by the revenue minister that provides for the imposition or collection of a tax or duty, or

(b) any confidential information obtained by the revenue minister under an information-sharing agreement from being used or disclosed for the purpose of administering and enforcing an Act of the Parliament of Canada that provides for the imposition or collection of a tax or duty.

(5) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may prescribe terms and conditions to be included in the information-sharing agreements entered into by the revenue minister.

(6) For the purposes of section 142.93 (6), an information-sharing agreement entered into before the coming into force of this section is considered to be an information-sharing agreement entered into by the revenue minister under this section.

Regulations

142.94   Without limiting Division 3 of Part 12, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations as follows:

(a) respecting inspections and audits conducted by forest revenue officials;

(b) respecting the conduct of appeals to the revenue minister under this Part;

(c) prescribing one or more categories of records for the purpose of section 142.3;

(d) prescribing a class of persons and circumstances for the purpose of section 142.31 (3);

(e) respecting assessments under this Part;

(f) requiring a person to keep records or types of records for the purposes of this Act or a provision of this Act.

Part 12 — Reviews, Appeals, Regulations, Penalties

Division 1 — Reviews

Determination that may be reviewed

143   (1) A review of the following may be required under this Division:

(a) a determination, an order or a decision of a timber sales manager under section 78;

(b) a determination, an order or a decision of the minister under section 59, 59.1 (9) or (10), 70 (4), 75, 76 (1), (2) or (6), 77 (1), 78.1 or 112 (2) or (3);

(c) an order made under section 75.02 (2) or (3) (b), unless the order specifies limits on the harvested volume respecting all of the forest licences in a timber supply area.

(2) A review of the determinations, orders and decisions referred to in subsection (1) is to be conducted by a person authorized by the minister.

Request for review

144   (1) If under the provisions referred to in section 143 (1) a determination, order or decision is made, the person

(a) in respect of whom it is made, or

(b) in respect of whose agreement it is made

may request a review of the determination, order or decision by serving a request for review on the person responsible for conducting the review under section 143 (2).

(2) The person must ensure that the request for review meets the content requirements of the regulations.

(3) The person must serve the request for review on the person responsible for conducting the review under section 143 (2) not later than 3 weeks after the date the notice of determination, order or decision is served on the person.

(3.1) After the request for review is served under subsection (1), the person requesting the review and the government must disclose the facts and law on which the person or government will rely at the review if required by the regulations and in accordance with the regulations.

(4) Before or after the time limit in subsection (3) expires, the person responsible for conducting the review under section 143 (2) may extend it.

(5) A person who does not serve the request for review within the time required under subsection (3) or (4) loses the right to require a review.

Powers on review

145   (1) The person responsible for conducting a review under section 143 (2) may decide the matter based on one or more of the following:

(a) the request for review and a review of the ministry's files;

(b) the request for review, the ministry's files and any other communication with persons that the person conducting the review considers necessary to decide the matter, including communication with the person requesting the review and with the person who made the determination, order or decision;

(c) an oral hearing.

(2) The person responsible for conducting the review may confirm, vary or rescind the determination, order or decision or refer it back to the person who made it, with or without directions.

(3) A written decision must be served on the person who requested the review within

(a) the prescribed period after the request for review was received by the person responsible for conducting the review under section 143 (2), or

(b) another period agreed to by the person who requested the review and the government.

(4) Despite subsection (3), if the person conducting the review determines that the request for review does not comply with the content requirements of the regulations, or that there was a failure to disclose facts and law required under section 144 (3.1), the prescribed period referred to in subsection (3) of this section does not begin until a request for review that does comply with the content requirements of the regulations is served on the person conducting the review, or the facts and law are disclosed as required under section 144 (3.1).

(5) [Repealed 2003-31-66.]

(6) Unless the minister orders otherwise, a review of a determination, order or decision does not operate as a stay or suspend the operation of the determination, order or decision.

Division 2 — Appeals

Determinations that may be appealed

146   (1) Subject to subsection (3), an appeal may be made to the Forest Appeals Commission from a determination, order or decision that was the subject of a review required under Division 1 of this Part.

(2) An appeal may be made to the Forest Appeals Commission from

(a) a determination, order or decision of the chief forester, under section 68, 70 (2) or 112 (1),

(b) a determination of an employee of the ministry under section 105 (1), and

(c) an order of the minister under section 75.95 (2).

(3) No appeal may be made under subsection (1) unless the determination, order or decision has first been reviewed under Division 1 of this Part.

(4) If a determination, order or decision referred to in subsection (1) is varied by the person conducting the review, the appeal to the commission is from the determination, order or decision as varied under section 145.

(5) This Division does not apply to an appeal under the Forest and Range Practices Act in respect of a contravention of this Act or the regulations under this Act.

(6) For the purpose of subsection (2), a redetermination or variation of stumpage rates under section 105 (1) is considered to be a determination.

Part 8.1 of Forest and Range Practices Act applies

146.1   Part 8.1 of the Forest and Range Practices Act applies to an appeal referred to in section 146 (1) or (2) of this Act.

Parties to appeal

147   (1) If a determination, order or decision referred to in section 146 (1) or (2) is made, the determination, order or decision may be appealed by the person

(a) in respect of whom it is made, or

(b) in respect of whose agreement it is made.

(2) Only the appellant and the government are parties to the appeal.

Repealed

148-148.6   [Repealed 2015-10-79.]

Powers of commission

149   (1) On an appeal, whether or not the person who conducted the review confirmed, varied or rescinded the determination, order or decision being appealed, the commission may consider the findings of

(a) the person who made the initial determination, order or decision, and

(b) the person who conducted the review.

(2) On an appeal, the commission may

(a) confirm, vary or rescind the determination, order or decision, or

(b) refer the matter back to the person who made the initial determination, order or decision with or without directions.

(3) If the commission decides an appeal of a determination made under section 105, the commission must, in deciding the appeal, apply the policies and procedures approved by the minister under section 105 that were in effect at the time of the initial determination.

(4) and (5) [Repealed 2015-10-79.]

(6) Unless the minister orders otherwise, an appeal under this Division does not operate as a stay or suspend the operation of the determination, order or decision under appeal.

Repealed

149.1   [Repealed 2015-10-79.]

Order for compliance

149.2   If it appears that a person has failed to comply with an order or decision of the commission or a member of it, the commission, minister or appellant may apply to the Supreme Court for an order

(a) directing the person to comply with the order or decision, and

(b) directing the directors and officers of the person to cause the person to comply with the order or decision.

Repealed

150   [Repealed 2015-10-79.]

Division 2.1 — Appeals of Contraventions

Forest and Range Practices Act applies to contravention appeals

150.1   Division 4 of Part 6 of the Forest and Range Practices Act applies to a correction, review or appeal under the Forest and Range Practices Act in respect of a contravention of this Act or the regulations under this Act.

Division 3 — Regulations

Regulations

151   (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations referred to in section 41 of the Interpretation Act.

(1.01) Without limiting subsection (1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting any matter for which regulations are contemplated by this Act.

(1.02) The authority to make regulations under another provision of this Act does not limit subsection (1), (1.01) or (1.1).

(1.1) In making a regulation under this Act, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may do one or more of the following:

(a) delegate a matter to a person;

(b) confer a discretion on a person;

(c) make different regulations for different persons, places, things, circumstances or transactions;

(d) adopt the provisions of a publication or adopt them as they are amended from time to time;

(e) adopt by reference, in whole or in part and with any changes considered appropriate by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, a regulation, code, standard or rule

(i) enacted as or under a law of a jurisdiction in Canada, or

(ii) set by a provincial, national or international body or any other body that makes codes, standards or rules.

(1.2) Unless stated otherwise, a regulation, code, standard or rule referred to in subsection (1.1) (e) is adopted as amended from time to time.

(2) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting any or all of the following:

(a) [Repealed 2004-36-65.]

(a.1) for the purpose of the definition of "allowable annual cut available" in section 1 (1), specifying the criteria, circumstances, rules, methods or formulas to be used in relation to

(i) the reservations, deletions or reductions respecting a tree farm licence,

(ii) the reservations or reductions respecting a community forest agreement, and

(iii) the reservations or reductions respecting a first nations woodland licence;

(a.2) authorizing the minister to enter into agreements with one or more tree farm licence holders to offset, in whole or in part, a reduction under section 3 (3) of the Forestry Revitalization Act, or a reservation referred to in section 35 (1) (h) of this Act, with a deletion of Crown land from the tree farm licence area under section 39.1 of this Act;

(b) [Repealed 1999-10-18.]

(b.1) for the purposes of section 1.1 (1) (a), specifying which powers and duties of the minister under this Act must not be delegated;

(b.2) for the purposes of section 8.1,

(i) prescribing the formulas or methods to be used to adjust the allowable annual cut, and

(ii) prescribing additional circumstances in respect of which the allowable annual cut is adjusted;

(b.3) for the purposes of section 13 (1) (a) (iii) and (2.1), establishing categories of applicants from whom applications for a non-replaceable forest licence must only be invited;

(c) the salvaging of logs including the rights of property in salvaged logs, and the collection, marking and disposing of salvaged logs;

(d) the transportation of timber after harvesting or of timber products, including but not limited to

(i) prescribing records that must accompany the timber or timber products during transportation,

(ii) requiring the production of the records for inspection by a forest officer, and

(iii) empowering a forest officer to designate the site where timber or timber products must be scaled;

(e) [Repealed 2008-20-33.]

(e.1) the imposition of fees payable to the government;

(e.2) for the purposes of section 22.4 (2), respecting

(i) when payment or payments must be made by the minister, and

(ii) the methods and formulas to be used to determine the amount of the payment by the minister, which may be different for different types of agreements, timber or areas in which the timber is located;

(f) harvesting cascara bark from Crown land;

(g) the growing and harvesting of Christmas trees on Crown land;

(h) the operations of holders of log salvage permits and station licences;

(i) the seizure, sale and other disposition of salvaged logs by the minister if the logs are salvaged or dealt with in contravention of this Act or the regulations;

(i.1) for the purposes of section 35.2, the requirements relating to management plans for tree farm licences, including

(i) the approval of management plans,

(ii) the content of management plans,

(iii) the time limits for submission of management plans or portions of management plans,

(iv) the persons to whom the management plans must be submitted,

(v) public review of and comment on management plans,

(vi) the effective time period of management plans or portions of management plans, and

(vii) matters relating to the replacement or extension of management plans;

(j) and (k) [Repealed 2004-36-65.]

(k.1) for the purposes of section 39.1,

(i) the boundary or area of a tree farm licence, and

(ii) limiting the circumstances in which the minister may exercise his or her discretion under that section;

(k.101) for the purposes of section 43.52, respecting

(i) the circumstances in which the minister may change a boundary or increase the area of a community forest agreement,

(ii) the factors the minister must consider before changing a boundary or increasing the area of a community forest agreement, and

(iii) eligibility criteria for the holder of the community forest agreement;

(k.11) [Repealed 2019-31-21.]

(k.2) [Repealed 2021-37-24.]

(k.3) for the purposes of section 58.21,

(i) the circumstances in which or the reasons for which the minister may postpone the operation of a cutting permit,

(ii) the criteria or conditions that must be met in order for the minister to postpone the operation of a cutting permit, and

(iii) the maximum period of time, including any extensions under subsection (4) of that section, for which a cutting permit may be postponed by the minister, which may be different for different circumstances, reasons, criteria or conditions;

(l) and (m) [Repealed 2004-36-65.]

(m.1) [Repealed 2019-31-21.]

(m.2) compensation for the purposes of section 175.2, including but not limited to regulations that do any of the things described in section 265 (2), 266 or 267;

(m.3) the surrender of an agreement listed in section 12, including requirements for fulfilling obligations under or in respect of

(i) the agreement, and

(ii) a cutting permit, road permit or road use permit issued to the holder of the agreement;

(m.4) for the purposes of section 81.1, specifying government objectives;

(m.5) the rules, methods or formulas to be used to make estimates of residual fibre under section 79.1 (2) (b), which may be different for different types of estimates;

(m.6) for the purposes of section 79.1 (2) (e), respecting requirements for sorting, stacking and piling residual fibre, including, without limitation, requirements for placement of stacks or piles of residual fibre on road sides or landings and practices the holder of an agreement must follow to prevent contamination of the residual fibre;

(n) scaling including, without limitation,

(i) regulations authorized under Part 6,

(ii) the timing of a scale,

(iii) the estimate of stumpage,

(iv) the payment of estimated stumpage, and

(v) scale site authorizations;

(n.1) a penalty for the purpose of section 97 (2), including prescribing

(i) the amount of the penalty, or the formulas or methods to be used to determine the amount of the penalty, and

(ii) the circumstances under which the payment of the penalty may be waived;

(o) [Repealed 1999-10-18.]

(p) the definition of "effective director" for the purposes of section 53 (1);

(p.01) prescribing services for the purposes of section 109 (2.2) (d), which services must be consistent with a purpose or function of the ministry referred to in section 4 (a), (b) or (c) of the Ministry of Forests and Range Act;

(p.02) prescribing circumstances for the purposes of section 118.1 (2);

(p.1) prescribing the extent of manufacture for the purposes of section 127 (b);

(p.2) prescribing information in relation to affiliates that must be provided under section 136.3 (2) (d);

(q) the practice, procedure and forms for reviews;

(r) the content of requests for review under section 144;

(s) the circumstances under which a review may be dismissed on the basis that the request for review does not meet the content requirements of the regulations, or that there was a failure to disclose facts and law as required by the regulations;

(t) the costs of reviews and the apportionment of those costs between the government and the person requesting the review;

(u) [Repealed 2015-10-81.]

(v) fees and deposits respecting applications for reviews;

(w) and (x) [Repealed 2015-10-81.]

(y) respecting BC timber sales enterprises, including but not limited to establishing categories of BC timber sales enterprises;

(z) the maximum volume of timber that may be specified in a forestry licence to cut entered into under section 47.6 (2) (d).

(2.1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations defining words and expressions used but not defined in this Act.

(3) The Lieutenant Governor in Council, by regulation, in respect of any provision of this Act or the regulations, may expand the meaning of "timber" to include any or all special forest products.

(4) and (5) [Repealed 1998-29-16.]

(6) [Repealed 2003-30-15.]

(7) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting administrative penalties that, under section 71 of the Forest and Range Practices Act, may be imposed for the contravention of a provision of this Act.

(8) Without limiting subsection (7), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting charges and penalties in cases in which a person does not comply with one or more of the following:

(a) this Act or the regulations;

(b) an agreement listed in section 12 or a pulpwood agreement.

(9) If a regulation under subsection (2) (m.2) is made on or before December 31, 2026, the regulation may be made retroactive to a date not earlier than July 15, 2023 and, if made retroactive, is deemed to have come into force on the specified date.

(10) Without limiting subsection (1.1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council, in respect of regulations under subsection (2) (i.1), may make different regulations for different management plans, including management plans

(a) that relate to different licences or agreements, or

(b) that were in effect when section 35.2 came into force.

(11) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting deposits and security of any kind, including but not limited to money, to be provided by the applicant for or the holder of an agreement listed in section 12 or a pulpwood agreement, to ensure the performance of an obligation under this Act or the agreement, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act or the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act.

(12) Without limiting subsection (11), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting the following:

(a) the type of security that is acceptable or unacceptable;

(b) the form and content of the security;

(c) the circumstances under which the security may be realized.

Criteria for exercise of discretionary powers

151.01   (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting the criteria that a person must use in exercising a discretionary power conferred on the person under this Act.

(2) Criteria prescribed under subsection (1) are in addition to any criteria required by this Act.

Regulation making power to establish forest districts

151.1   (1) In this section, "custodian" means the custodian designated under subsection (7).

(2) The Lieutenant Governor in Council, by regulation, may

(a) establish an area of British Columbia as a BC timber sales business area, forest district or forest region,

(b) abolish, change the boundaries of or change the name of a BC timber sales business area, forest district or forest region, and

(c) consolidate 2 or more BC timber sales business areas, 2 or more forest districts or 2 or more forest regions.

(3) A forest district established under subsection (2) is a forest district for the purposes of section 2 (1) (d) of the Ministry of Forests and Range Act.

(3.1) A forest region established under subsection (2) is a forest region for the purposes of section 2 (1) (c) of the Ministry of Forests and Range Act.

(3.2) A BC timber sales business area established under subsection (2) is a BC timber sales business area for the purposes of section 2 (1) (d.1) of the Ministry of Forests and Range Act.

(4) A regulation made under subsection (2) may establish the boundaries of BC timber sales business areas, forest districts or forest regions by reference to maps that are available to the public and that are kept by the ministry of the minister responsible for the administration of this Act

(a) in paper form, or

(b) as information that

(i) is stored electronically in a database controlled by the custodian, and

(ii) can be reproduced as a map in paper form.

(5) A regulation made under subsection (2) may provide that the boundaries of a BC timber sales business area, forest district or forest region are as set out from time to time in a map referred to in subsection (4), but if such a regulation is made, a change to a boundary has no effect until a notice of the change is published in the Gazette.

(6) A regulation made under subsection (2) may be made retroactive to the date on which this section comes into force.

(7) The minister may designate a person employed in the ministry of the minister responsible for the administration of this Act to be the custodian of the database under subsection (4) (b) with the title of Custodian of the Forest Administrative Boundaries Database.

(8) A map in paper form that is certified by the custodian as having been reproduced from information stored electronically in the database controlled by the custodian is, without proof of the signature or official position of the custodian, evidence of the boundary of the BC timber sales business area, forest district or forest region.

(9) For the purposes of subsection (8) the custodian's signature may be reproduced mechanically or electronically.

Repealed

151.2   [Repealed RS1996-157-151.2 (4).]

Area-based allowable annual cut

151.3   (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations implementing a trial program under which allowable annual cut is determined under section 8 in whole or in part on the basis of the area from which timber is to be harvested.

(2) A regulation under this section

(a) must specify all or part of a timber supply area, tree farm licence area, community forest agreement or woodlot licence area as an area to which the trial program applies, and

(b) may vary this Act, the regulations or a forest licence, tree farm licence or woodlot licence as they apply, in relation to allowable annual cut, within

(i) a timber supply area or part of one,

(ii) a tree farm licence area or part of one, or

(iii) a woodlot licence area or part of one

that is specified under paragraph (a).

(3) The Lieutenant Governor in Council must not make a regulation under subsection (2) (b) varying a forest licence, tree farm licence or woodlot licence unless the licensee has consented to the amendment.

(4) This section may be repealed by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Adapting cut control under this Act for the Forestry Revitalization Act

151.4   The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations he or she considers necessary or desirable for the purpose of adapting

(a) Division 3.1 of Part 4 of this Act, and

(b) the regulations made for that Division,

to take into account the effect of the Forestry Revitalization Act, and orders under that Act, on an agreement listed in the Schedule to that Act, including but not limited to regulations

(c) prescribing additional provisions to supplement the provisions of

(i) Division 3.1 of Part 4 of this Act, or

(ii) the regulations made for that Division

as the provisions apply in respect of that agreement or its holder,

(d) varying provisions of that Division or of regulations made for that Division as the provisions apply in respect of that agreement or its holder,

(e) providing that specified provisions of that Division or of regulations made for that Division do not apply to or in respect of that agreement or its holder, and

(f) imposing conditions for the purpose of regulations made under this section.

Adapting cut control for provisions respecting conversion of timber sale licences

151.5   The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations he or she considers necessary or desirable for the purpose of adapting

(a) Division 3.1 of Part 4 of this Act, and

(b) the regulations made for that Division

to take into account the effect of sections 24.1 to 24.91 of this Act on an agreement that is converted, amended, entered into or surrendered under one or more of those sections, including but not limited to regulations

(c) prescribing additional provisions to supplement the provisions of

(i) Division 3.1 of Part 4 of this Act, or

(ii) the regulations made for that Division

as the provisions apply in respect of that agreement or its holder,

(d) varying provisions of that Division or of regulations made for that Division as the provisions apply in respect of that agreement or its holder,

(e) providing that specified provisions of that Division or of regulations made for that Division do not apply to or in respect of that agreement or its holder, and

(f) imposing conditions for the purpose of regulations made under this section.

Adapting cut control for provisions respecting first nations woodland licences

151.51   (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations he or she considers necessary or desirable for the purpose of adapting

(a) Division 3.1 of Part 4 of this Act, and

(b) the regulations made for that Division

to take into account the effect of the surrender of a licence or an agreement referred to in section 43.54 (4) (b), including but not limited to regulations

(c) prescribing additional provisions to supplement the provisions of

(i) Division 3.1 of Part 4 of this Act, or

(ii) the regulations made for that Division

as the provisions apply in respect of that licence or agreement or its holder,

(d) varying provisions of that Division or of regulations made for that Division as the provisions apply in respect of that licence or agreement or its holder,

(e) providing that specified provisions of that Division or of regulations made for that Division do not apply to or in respect of that licence or agreement or its holder, and

(f) imposing conditions for the purpose of regulations made under this section.

(2) This section may be repealed by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council and, on that repeal, regulations made under this section are also repealed.

Regulation making power for fibre supply and forestry licence to cut

151.6   (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations he or she considers necessary or desirable for the purposes of prescribing requirements respecting forestry licences to cut described in section 47.6 (2.11) or fibre supply licences to cut, including but not limited to regulations

(a) prescribing provisions, in addition to the provisions of

(i) Division 8.2 of Part 3 of this Act, or

(ii) the regulations made under that Division,

that apply to or in respect of forestry licences to cut or fibre supply licences to cut or to the holders of forestry licences to cut or fibre supply licences to cut,

(b) varying provisions of Division 8.2 of Part 3 of this Act or of the regulations made under that Division as the provisions apply to or in respect of forestry licences to cut or fibre supply licences to cut or to the holders of forestry licences to cut or fibre supply licences to cut,

(c) providing that specified provisions of Division 8.2 of Part 3 of this Act or of the regulations made under that Division do not apply to or in respect of forestry licences to cut or fibre supply licences to cut or to the holders of forestry licences to cut or fibre supply licences to cut, and

(d) imposing conditions for the purposes of regulations made under this section.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1) and for the purposes of sections 47.6 (2.11) (b) and 47.72 (2), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations as follows:

(a) requiring the holder of an agreement listed in section 12 to give written notification to the district manager respecting harvest completion;

(b) respecting time requirements for the notification;

(c) respecting content requirements for the notification including, without limitation,

(i) a declaration in respect of timber that is not harvested or removed under the agreement indicating the amount of that timber the agreement holder

(A) plans to sell, trade or use for commercial purposes, and

(B) does not plan to sell, trade or use for commercial purposes,

(ii) an estimate of the amount of timber referred to in subparagraph (i) (B) that is at all landings or roadsides,

(iii) a list of the activities the agreement holder has planned for the site area that are to be subject to the fibre recovery permit for a specified period, and

(iv) a description of any of the agreement holder's forest management concerns;

(d) if an agreement holder indicates in accordance with paragraph (c) (i) that the holder plans to sell, trade or use for commercial purposes timber that was not harvested or removed, requiring the holder to sell, trade or use that timber as declared;

(e) prohibiting an agreement holder from destroying timber referred to in paragraph (c) (i) in specified circumstances.

Regulation making power for first nations woodland licences

151.7   (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations he or she considers necessary or desirable for the purposes of prescribing requirements respecting first nations woodland licences, including but not limited to regulations

(a) prescribing provisions, in addition to the provisions of

(i) Division 7.11 of Part 3 of this Act, or

(ii) the regulations made under that Division,

that apply to or in respect of first nations woodland licences or the holders of first nations woodland licences,

(b) varying provisions of Division 7.11 of Part 3 of this Act or of the regulations made under that Division as the provisions apply to or in respect of first nations woodland licences or the holders of first nations woodland licences,

(c) providing that specified provisions of Division 7.11 of Part 3 of this Act or of the regulations made under that Division do not apply to or in respect of first nations woodland licences or the holders of first nations woodland licences, and

(d) imposing conditions for the purposes of regulations made under this section.

(2) This section may be repealed by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council and, on that repeal, regulations made under this section are also repealed.

Regulation making power in relation to dispositions of agreements and corporate changes of control and amalgamations

151.8   The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting the following:

(a) for the purposes of sections 53.2, 54.01 (3), 54.66 (1) and 54.67 (3), respecting the circumstances in which a person is at arm's length from another person;

(b) for the purposes of section 54 (2) (f) (ii), prescribing the period within which a disposition may occur after approval is given;

(c) for the purposes of permitting the disposition of an agreement referred to in section 54.4 (1) (b) or (1.01), respecting

(i) the circumstances in which a disposition may be made,

(ii) the criteria that must be met by the person disposing of the agreement, including, for the purposes of section 54.4 (1.01), the type of processing facility that must be owned or leased by that person,

(iii) the criteria that must be met by the person to whom the agreement is being disposed, including, for the purposes of section 54.4 (1.01), the type of processing facility that must be owned or leased by that person, and

(iv) the provisions that must be included in the agreement being disposed of;

(d) for the purposes of section 54 (2.1) or 54.64 (2), prescribing information that must be provided on the request of the minister, including but not limited to the following information about a corporation that holds an agreement or that is the intended recipient of an agreement:

(i) the names and addresses of the shareholders, directors and officers of the corporation;

(ii) the number of shares of each class or series of shares held by each of the shareholders of the corporation;

(iii) the voting rights held by each class or series of shares of the corporation;

(iv) the identity of each person who has control of the corporation;

(e) for the purposes of section 54.02 (2) (a) or 54.65 (b) (v), respecting how the minister may determine whether a disposition would result, or a change of control or amalgamation results, in persons holding or otherwise controlling rights to harvest Crown timber in an amount that is detrimental to competition in the marketing of fibre, including but not limited to the following:

(i) respecting what constitutes holding or otherwise controlling rights to harvest Crown timber, including providing that a person controls rights to harvest Crown timber if the timber, or wood residue derived from the timber, is supplied to the person under a fibre supply arrangement within the meaning of section 136;

(ii) respecting methods that may be used and factors that may be considered by the minister, including methods and factors that take into account

(A) the concentration of rights to harvest Crown timber, or

(B) the nature and extent of vertical integration of persons engaged in the marketing of fibre;

(iii) specifying different areas in which the marketing of fibre occurs and establishing methods or factors under subparagraph (ii) that may be applied in relation to one or more of those specified areas;

(f) respecting requirements for a corporation that holds an agreement to provide information on the request of the minister for the purposes of

(i) determining whether there has been, within the meaning of section 54.62, a change of control of the corporation or an amalgamation of the corporation with another corporation that holds an agreement, or

(ii) a hearing under section 54.66 (1);

(g) respecting notice under section 54.63, including but not limited to

(i) the manner and form in which notice must be given, and

(ii) additional information that must be provided when giving notice;

(h) limiting the time period within which the minister may take action under section 54.66 after receiving notice of a change of control or amalgamation;

(i) prescribing the time period within which the minister must provide an opportunity to be heard under section 54.66 (1) (b) after suspending an agreement under section 54.66 (1) (a);

(j) exempting a person, disposition, class of persons or class of dispositions from one or more of the provisions of sections 54 (2), 54.2 and 54.6;

(k) exempting a corporation or class of corporations from sections 54.63 to 54.67;

(l) for the purposes of an exemption under paragraph (j) or (k), making regulations that do one or more of the following:

(i) establish circumstances in which the exemption applies;

(ii) set conditions of, or limitations on, the application of the exemption.

Regulation making power in relation to records and returns

151.9   (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting the following:

(a) for the purposes of the definition of "fibre supply arrangement" in section 136, prescribing facilities, including but not limited to

(i) facilities that manufacture products from timber or wood residue, and

(ii) facilities that produce bioenergy;

(b) for the purposes of section 136 (2) (f), prescribing persons or classes of persons

(i) who acquire, distribute, buy or sell timber, wood residue, products manufactured from timber or wood residue or rights to harvest Crown timber, or

(ii) who process timber or wood residue,

including but not limited to

(iii) persons who transport timber, wood residue or products manufactured from timber or wood residue,

(iv) operators of facilities that manufacture products from timber or wood residue, and

(v) operators of facilities that produce bioenergy;

(c) exempting persons or classes of persons from section 136 (2);

(d) for the purposes of section 136 (3), establishing requirements respecting the keeping of records under that section, including but not limited to

(i) establishing categories or subcategories of information,

(ii) requiring that records be kept according to categories or subcategories established under subparagraph (i),

(iii) requiring that records be kept in relation to particular periods, or

(iv) requiring that specific information or types of information be recorded;

(e) for the purposes of section 136 (3) (d), prescribing information in relation to fibre supply arrangements, including but not limited to information respecting

(i) the parties to, and term of, the arrangement,

(ii) the recipients and intended recipients of timber or wood residue supplied under the arrangement, or

(iii) the actual and agreed-on volumes and prices of timber or wood residue supplied under the arrangement;

(f) for the purposes of section 136 (3) (e), prescribing information in relation to

(i) the acquiring, distributing, buying or selling of timber, wood residue, products manufactured from timber or wood residue or rights to harvest Crown timber, or

(ii) the processing of timber or wood residue,

including but not limited to information respecting

(iii) the transporting of timber, wood residue or products manufactured from timber or wood residue,

(iv) the manufacturing of products from timber or wood residue, and

(v) the producing of bioenergy;

(g) for the purposes of section 136.1, specifying information prescribed for the purposes of section 136 (3) (e) that must not be disclosed.

(2) For the purposes of this section, products manufactured from timber or wood residue include wood products that are manufactured from products manufactured from timber or wood residue.

Interpretation for sections 152 to 162

152   In this section and sections 153 to 162:

"contract" has a meaning corresponding to the definition of "contractor" below;

"contractor" means a person who has an agreement with the holder of a forest licence, timber licence or tree farm licence to carry out one or more aspects of the holder's timber harvesting operations under the licence, and includes "person under contract" as defined by the regulations;

"replaceable contract" means a contract

(a) that includes a requirement that the holder of the forest licence, timber licence or tree farm licence, as the case may be, by a prescribed time before expiry of the existing contract, must, if the contractor has satisfactorily performed the existing contract up to the time of the offer, make an offer to the contractor, conditional on the contractor continuing to satisfactorily perform the existing contract, of a replacement contract that

(i) provides for payment to the contractor of the amounts agreed by the parties, or failing agreement, of the amounts settled by the method of dispute resolution provided under the existing contract at the time of the offer, and

(ii) subject to a requirement as to length of term prescribed under section 157 (d) (ii), is otherwise on substantially the same terms and conditions as the existing contract, and

(b) that conforms to the requirements for replaceable contracts prescribed under section 157;

"replaceable forest licence" means a forest licence for which the minister must make an offer of replacement, as set out in section 15;

"replaceable subcontract" means a subcontract

(a) that includes a requirement that the contractor, by a prescribed time before expiry of the existing subcontract, must, if the subcontractor has satisfactorily performed the existing subcontract up to the time of the offer, make an offer to the subcontractor, conditional on the subcontractor continuing to satisfactorily perform the existing subcontract, of a replacement subcontract that

(i) provides for payment to the subcontractor of the amounts agreed by the parties, or failing agreement, of the amounts settled by the method of dispute resolution provided under the existing subcontract at the time of the offer, and

(ii) subject to a requirement as to length of term prescribed under section 157 (d) (ii), is otherwise on substantially the same terms and conditions as the existing subcontract, and

(b) that conforms to the requirements for replaceable subcontracts prescribed under section 157;

"replaceable tree farm licence" means a tree farm licence for which the minister must make an offer of replacement, as set out in section 36;

"subcontract" has a meaning corresponding to the definition of "subcontractor" below;

"subcontractor" means a person who has an agreement with a contractor to carry out one or more aspects of the contractor's responsibilities to the holder of the forest licence, timber licence or tree farm licence, as the case may be.

Requirement for written contracts and subcontracts

153   The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations

(a) requiring

(i) a holder of a forest licence, timber licence, timber sale licence or tree farm licence who enters into a contract, or

(ii) a contractor who enters into a subcontract

to do so only by a written contract or written subcontract, as the case may be, and

(b) requiring the parties to a contract or subcontract that is not in writing to exert their best efforts to convert the contract or subcontract into a written one.

Assignability of contracts and subcontracts

154   The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations

(a) prescribing, for a contract, a requirement under which

(i) the contractor's interest is assignable to another person with the consent of the holder of the forest licence, timber licence, timber sale licence or tree farm licence who is the other party to the contract, and

(ii) consent of the holder to the assignment must not be unreasonably withheld,

(b) prescribing, for a subcontract, a requirement under which

(i) the subcontractor's interest is assignable to another person with the consent of the contractor who is the other party to the subcontract, and

(ii) consent of the contractor to the assignment must not be unreasonably withheld, or

(c) prescribing, for use in contracts or subcontracts, standard provisions representing the requirements prescribed under paragraph (a) or (b).

Mediation and arbitration under contracts and subcontracts

155   The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting mediation and arbitration of all or certain disputes that have arisen or may arise between the parties to a contract or subcontract, including, but not limited to, regulations

(a) establishing a system of mediation and arbitration and making the system applicable to

(i) contracts, or

(ii) subcontracts

that do not make any provision or do not make adequate provision for mediation and arbitration,

(b) respecting contracts to which or subcontracts to which the system of mediation and arbitration established under this section is made applicable, including, but not limited to, regulations prescribing the following types of requirements for those contracts or subcontracts:

(i) requirements under which the parties to the contract or subcontract, as the case may be, are obliged, under the system of mediation and arbitration established under this section, to settle by mediation, and in the event of unsuccessful mediation, by arbitration,

(A) all disputes, or

(B) certain disputes as specified by regulation

that have arisen or may arise between the parties under the contract or subcontract;

(ii) requirements under which the parties to the contract or subcontract, as the case may be, must select the mediators and arbitrators to be used in the settlement of disputes under the contract or subcontract only from the Register of Timber Harvesting Contract Mediators and Arbitrators established under section 156,

(c) prescribing, for use in contracts or subcontracts, standard provisions representing the requirements prescribed under paragraph (b) (i) and (ii),

(d) prescribing what constitutes making "adequate provision" for the purposes of paragraph (a), and

(e) adopting by reference for the purpose of the system of mediation and arbitration established under this section any provisions of the Arbitration Act, either without variation or with variations that the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers necessary or desirable.

Register of Timber Harvesting Contract Mediators and Arbitrators

156   For the purpose of implementing a system of mediation and arbitration established under section 155, the minister may

(a) establish and maintain a Register of Timber Harvesting Contract Mediators and Arbitrators,

(b) enter in the register the names of at least 9 individuals whom the minister considers qualified to mediate or arbitrate disputes under contracts and subcontracts, and

(c) amend the register from time to time by removing names or by adding the names of individuals the minister considers qualified to mediate or arbitrate disputes under contracts and subcontracts.

Requirements for replaceable contracts and subcontracts

157   The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations

(a) requiring the holder of a timber licence, replaceable forest licence or replaceable tree farm licence who enters into a contract, including a replacement contract, to do so only by means of a replaceable contract,

(a.1) despite paragraph (a), permitting the holder of a timber licence, replaceable forest licence or replaceable tree farm licence who enters into a contract to agree in writing with the intended contractor that the contract is not a replaceable contract,

(b) requiring the holder of a replaceable contract who enters into a subcontract, including a replacement subcontract, to do so only by means of a replaceable subcontract,

(b.1) despite paragraph (b), permitting the holder of a replaceable contract who enters into a subcontract to agree in writing with the intended subcontractor that the subcontract is not a replaceable subcontract,

(c) prescribing methods to be used to calculate compliance with a provision of a timber licence, replaceable forest licence or replaceable tree farm licence that requires timber to be harvested by persons under contract, and defining "persons under contract" for the purpose of sections 14 (1) (g) and 35 (1) (j),

(d) respecting replaceable contracts and replaceable subcontracts, including, but not limited to, regulations prescribing the following types of requirements for replaceable contracts or for replaceable subcontracts:

(i) requirements governing the length of the term of

(A) replaceable contracts, or

(B) replaceable subcontracts

that are made after the effective date of the regulation prescribing the requirements referred to in this subparagraph;

(ii) requirements governing the commencement and length of the term of the replacement contract or replacement subcontract, as the case may be, that must be offered under an offer referred to in

(A) paragraph (a) of the definitions in section 152 of "replaceable contract" and "replaceable subcontract", or

(B) section 158;

(iii) requirements respecting the respective rights of the parties to the replaceable contracts or replaceable subcontracts in the event of contingencies not under the control of either party, including, but not limited to,

(A) a reduction in allowable annual cut under the forest licence, timber licence or tree farm licence to which the replaceable contract or replaceable subcontract pertains, or

(B) a change in harvesting methods that is approved or required by the government or a licence holder under the forest licence, timber licence or tree farm licence to which the replaceable contract or replaceable subcontract pertains;

(iv) requirements relating to the amount of work to be allocated to and performed by a contractor or subcontractor;

(v) requirements relating to the replacement of contracts or subcontracts on the transfer, subdivision or consolidation of licences and the replacement of subcontracts on the transfer of contracts;

(vi) requirements relating to the determination of rates under contracts and subcontracts;

(vii) requirements relating to the operational and commercial terms of contracts and subcontracts,

(e) prescribing,

(i) for use in contracts made by holders of timber licences, replaceable forest licences or replaceable tree farm licences with contractors, a standard provision representing the requirement referred to in paragraph (a) of the definition of "replaceable contract" in section 152,

(ii) for use in subcontracts made by contractors described in subparagraph (i) with subcontractors, a standard provision representing the requirement referred to in paragraph (a) of the definition of "replaceable subcontract" in section 152, and

(iii) for use in replaceable contracts or replaceable subcontracts, standard provisions representing any of the requirements prescribed under paragraph (d) (i) to (vii) of this section,

(f) prescribing what constitutes "substantially the same terms and conditions" for the purposes of paragraph (a) (ii) of the definitions of "replaceable contract" and "replaceable subcontract" in section 152, and

(g) prescribing what constitutes "substantially the same terms and conditions" for the purposes of section 158.

Agreement to make a replaceable contract or subcontract non-replaceable

157.1   (1) Despite section 160 or a regulation under section 157, the Lieutenant Governor in Council by regulation

(a) may permit the holder of a licence and the contractor who are the parties to a replaceable contract pertaining to the licence to amend the replaceable contract by written agreement to provide that it is not replaceable, and

(b) may permit the holder of a replaceable contract and the subcontractor who are the parties to a replaceable subcontract pertaining to the replaceable contract to amend the replaceable subcontract by written agreement to provide that it is not replaceable.

(2) A contract amended in accordance with a regulation under subsection (1) (a) ceases to be a replaceable contract.

(3) A subcontract amended in accordance with a regulation under subsection (1) (b) ceases to be a replaceable subcontract.

(4) A regulation under subsection (1) (a) granting permission to amend a replaceable contract by written agreement to provide that it is not replaceable does not affect any rights, against the contractor or another person, of a subcontractor who has a replaceable subcontract with the contractor pertaining to the contract.

Waiver by licensees, contractors and subcontractors of certain rights under regulations

157.2   (1) Despite sections 154 to 160 or a regulation under section 154, 155 or 157, the Lieutenant Governor in Council by regulation

(a) may permit the holder of a licence and the contractor who are the parties to a contract pertaining to the licence to amend the contract by written agreement, to provide that one or more specified provisions of regulations under sections 154 to 157 are inapplicable in relation to the contract, and

(b) may permit the holder of a contract and the subcontractor who are the parties to a subcontract pertaining to the contract to amend the subcontract by written agreement to provide that one or more specified provisions of regulations under sections 154 to 157 are inapplicable in relation to the subcontract.

(2) On and after the effective date of an amendment permitted by regulation under subsection (1) (a), the specified provisions of the regulations that are the subject of the amendment do not apply in respect of the contract.

(3) On and after the effective date of an amendment permitted by regulation under subsection (1) (b), the specified provisions of the regulations that are the subject of the amendment do not apply in respect of the subcontract.

(4) A regulation under subsection (1) (a) granting permission to amend a contract by written agreement to provide that one or more specified provisions of regulations under sections 154 to 157 are inapplicable in relation to the contract does not affect any rights, against the contractor or another person, of a subcontractor who has a replaceable subcontract with the contractor pertaining to the contract.

Special provision for certain expired contracts

158   (1) If a contract between the holder of a timber licence, replaceable forest licence or replaceable tree farm licence and a contractor expired or expires, or was or is wrongfully terminated by the holder, on or after January 25, 1991 but before the end of September 30, 1991, and

(a) the parties to the contract have not, by the end of September 30, 1991, entered into a new contract on substantially the same terms and conditions as those of the expired contract or on other terms and conditions agreed by the parties, and

(b) the contractor satisfactorily performed the contractor's obligations under the expired contract,

then, on or before October 15, 1991 or a later date that, on application by the holder, the minister may specify by order, the holder of the licence must make an offer to the contractor of a replacement contract that

(c) provides for payment to the contractor of the amounts agreed by the parties or, failing agreement, of the amounts settled by mediation and arbitration under the system established under section 155,

(d) subject to a requirement as to length of term prescribed under section 157 (d) (ii), is otherwise on substantially the same terms and conditions as the expired or terminated contract, and

(e) is a replaceable contract.

(2) In the absence of agreement between the parties to an expired or terminated contract referred to in subsection (1) as to whether the contractor satisfactorily performed the contractor's obligations under the expired or terminated contract

(a) the parties must settle that issue by mediation and arbitration under the system established under section 155, and

(b) the time within which the holder of the licence must offer a replacement contract under subsection (1) is extended to a date 15 days after the settlement of that issue.

Applicability of certain prescribed provisions to existing contracts and subcontracts

159   A regulation made under or for the purpose of any of sections 152 to 161 respecting contracts of any class or subcontracts of any class

(a) may be made applicable to

(i) contracts, or

(ii) subcontracts

that were made before the time of coming into force of the regulation and are still in effect at that time as well as to

(iii) contracts, or

(iv) subcontracts

that are made after that time, and

(b) may include transitional provisions to deal with compliance with the regulation by the parties to those contracts or subcontracts.

Non-compliance with prescribed requirements for contracts and subcontracts

160   (1) A regulation prescribing a standard provision under section 154 (c), 155 (c) or 157 (e) for contracts of any class or subcontracts of any class may specify a deadline before which the parties to

(a) any of the contracts that do not conform to the requirement represented by the standard provision, or

(b) any of the subcontracts that do not conform to the requirement represented by the standard provision

must amend the contracts or subcontracts, as the case may be, to conform to the requirement.

(2) A deadline specified by regulation under subsection (1) may be expressed

(a) as a specific date applicable to all contracts of or to all subcontracts of the relevant class that were made before the time of coming into force of the regulation and are still in effect at that time, or

(b) as the end of a period of days immediately following the making of any

(i) contract, or

(ii) subcontract

that is of the relevant class and is made after the time of coming into force of the regulation.

(3) If a deadline for contracts of any class or subcontracts of any class is specified by regulation under subsection (1) and

(a) any of the contracts that does not conform to the requirement represented by the standard provision, or

(b) any of the subcontracts that does not conform to the requirement represented by the standard provision,

as the case may be, is not amended by the parties to conform to that requirement, then, effective at the deadline, the contract or subcontract, as the case may be, is conclusively deemed

(c) to be amended to include the standard provision prescribed for that requirement, and

(d) to be binding on the parties to the contract or subcontract, as the case may be, in the same way as if amended by agreement between them.

(4) An amendment made by subsection (3) to a contract or subcontract does not prevent the parties from

(a) amending the standard provision added by subsection (3), or

(b) substituting for that standard provision another provision,

as agreed by the parties, provided that the amendment or substitution complies with the requirement that is represented by the standard provision.

(5) If a standard provision added to a contract or subcontract by subsection (3) conflicts or is inconsistent with one or more other provisions of the contract or subcontract, the standard provision added by subsection (3) prevails over that other or those other provisions.

Included regulatory powers for sections 152 to 161

161   (1) A regulation made under or for the purpose of any of sections 152 to 161 may

(a) provide that a provision of the regulations does not apply to or in respect of a person, a forest licence, timber licence or tree farm licence, or a contract or subcontract,

(b) prescribe circumstances in which or conditions on which a provision is disapplied under paragraph (a),

(c) for the purpose of the regulation, define classes

(i) of forest licences, timber licences and tree farm licences, and of holders of any of those licences,

(ii) of contracts and of contractors, and

(iii) of subcontracts and of subcontractors, and

(d) provide differently for different classes defined under paragraph (c), or

(e) permit the minister, by order, in prescribed situations and according to prescribed criteria, to relieve, in whole or in part,

(i) a holder of a forest licence, timber licence or tree farm licence,

(ii) a contractor, or

(iii) a subcontractor,

who is named in the order from a requirement of the regulations, subject to the conditions, if any, imposed by the minister.

(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1) (c), a definition of classes under that provision may be based on the region to which a licence, contract or subcontract pertains, the volume of timber harvested or to be harvested under a licence, contract or subcontract, or on any characteristics of a licence, contract or subcontract, including when issued or made, length of term or of remaining term, or in the case of a licence or contract, whether it is replaceable.

No compensation

162   No compensation is payable by the government and proceedings must not be commenced or maintained to claim compensation from the government or to obtain a declaration that compensation is payable by the government in respect of the effect, on a forest licence, timber licence or tree farm licence or on a contract or subcontract, under any provision of the following:

(a) sections 152 to 161 of this Act;

(b) the regulations made under or for the purpose of a provision referred to in paragraph (a).

Division 4 — Offences and Penalties

Fines

163   (1) A person who contravenes section 84 (1), (3) or (4), 89 (1) or (2), 94 (1), 105 (5.2), 105.1 (2) or (3), 127, 127.1, 164 (1) (a), (b) or (c) or 165.1 commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $500 000 or to imprisonment for not more than 2 years or to both.

(2) A person who contravenes section 9 (2), 84 (6), 86 (3.1) or (4), 94 (4), 95 (1) or (7), 97 (1), 126 (2), 136 (3) or (4) or 163.1 commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100 000 or to imprisonment for not more than one year or to both.

(3) A person who contravenes section 93.1 or 97 (6) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50 000 or to imprisonment for not more than 6 months or to both.

(4) A person who contravenes section 90 (1) or (2), 96 (1), 124 (1), 125 or 132 (2) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10 000 or to imprisonment for not more than 6 months or to both.

(5) A person who contravenes section 86 (1) or (2) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5 000 or to imprisonment for not more than 6 months or to both.

(6) A person who contravenes section 136.1 (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2 000 or to imprisonment for not more than 6 months or to both.

(7) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may provide by regulation that

(a) a contravention of a regulation is an offence, and

(b) a person convicted of an offence for a contravention of a regulation is liable to a fine not exceeding a maximum amount or to imprisonment not exceeding a maximum amount or to both.

(8) If the maximum fine or imprisonment provided by a regulation under subsection (7) (b) is less than that provided by a provision of this Act, the regulation prevails.

Interference, non-compliance and misleading

163.1   (1) In this section, "person acting in an official capacity" means an individual who is

(a) employed under the Public Service Act, and

(b) is exercising a power or performing a duty or function under this Act.

(2) A person must not

(a) without lawful excuse, intentionally interfere with a person acting in an official capacity,

(b) without lawful excuse, intentionally not comply with a lawful requirement of a person acting in an official capacity, or

(c) intentionally make a false statement to, or mislead or attempt to mislead a person acting in an official capacity.

Part 3 offence

164   (1) A person must not

(a) by intimidation or threat hinder or prevent a person from making an application for an agreement, or from submitting a tender or bid, under Part 3,

(b) for an improper purpose threaten to make an application for an agreement, or to submit a tender or bid, under Part 3, or

(c) participate in or be a party to an agreement or arrangement among 2 or more persons, under which

(i) one or more of the persons agrees or undertakes not to make an application for an agreement, or to submit a tender or bid, under Part 3