Decision Date: June 11, 1996

Panel: David Perry, Chair

Keywords: Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act – preamble, s. 131(9), 131(10), 17, 45, and 63, Hunter v. Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities for the Province of New Brunswick et al., Imperial Tobacco Ltd. v. Attorney General of Canada, MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. v. Chief Forester

This is an application for intervenor status by the Cariboo-Chilcotin Conservation Council (“CCCC”) in an appeal by the Forest Practices Board (“FPB”) of a decision of a Review Panel regarding damage to the environment under section 45 of the Code. The CCCC applied for intervenor status to make submissions on the interpretation of this section. Specifically, CCCC maintained that as a coalition of wilderness preservation, education, research and sustainable development groups, it has a direct interest in the appeal and could contribute a unique perspective. Riverside Forest Products opposed the application on the grounds that the FPB adequately represents the interests of the CCCC.

The Commission rejected Riverside Forest Product’s argument and found that the FPB represents the public interest not environmental interests. The Commission accepted the CCCC’s submission that it has a unique local environmental perspective and found that it has a valid interest in participating and it would assist the proceedings. The Commission granted the CCCC full participation rights. The application was allowed.