The Ministry of Forests has announced an extension to the Fairy Creek old-growth deferral, continuing protection for the watershed. 

"I am working to put people and communities back at the heart of forestry," said Forests Minister Ravi Parmar. 

"True, lasting and meaningful reconciliation begins with partnering and working with First Nations. Together, we can build a strong, robust and sustainable forest sector for the next 100 years." 

The deferral extension applies to the same forest lands as those deferred in June 2021 and will provide temporary protection until Sept. 30, 2026. It will allow more time for long-term discussions on the management of Fairy Creek. This deferral will also continue the partnership between the Ministry of Forests and Pacheedaht First Nation. 

The deferral protects nearly 1,200 hectares of Crown land within the Fairy Creek watershed, which falls entirely into Pacheedaht First Nation territory.  

Parmar also drew attention to reports of tree spiking in the watershed located northeast of Port Renfrew.

"Last week, I was notified that there are reports of tree spiking in the Fairy Creek area of southern Vancouver Island," he said. "Spiking a tree, or even attempting to, is a dangerous criminal activity that puts the health and safety of B.C.'s forestry workers at risk. These reports are incredibly alarming and I condemn this criminal behaviour."

Fairy Creek has been the site of numerous protests against old-growth logging, with more than 1,000 protesters arrested on the site in February 2022. The protests have been referred to as one of the largest acts of civil disobedience in Canadian history. 

The Langford-Highlands MLA said the forestry licensee and the local First Nation have been notified and the matter has been referred to the RCMP. An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 and reference file number: NA25-2275.

Meanwhile, the ministry states, 鈥淲ork continues provincewide with First Nations and title holders to take unprecedented action to protect old-growth forests. Since the release of the 2020 Old Growth Strategic Review, action has been taken on all 14 of the review's recommendations.鈥�  

The ministry also assured that their forest landscape planning (FLP), an essential part of their old growth strategy, would continue to give opportunity for collaboration between Indigenous and provincial government leadership. Fifteen FLP projects are currently underway.