Board Overview
Purpose of the Board
The Forest Practices Board was created under the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act (the Code) as an independent watchdog for effective forest practices in B.C.'s public forests. The mandate of the Forest Practices Board is to provide independent assurance, to both the British Columbia public and the
international marketplace, that forest and range licensees are carrying out sound practices and complying with legal requirements.
Its mandate is also to ensure that resource ministries are appropriately monitoring and enforcing legislation.
The Board's mandate continues under the Forest and Range Practices Act (the Act), which enables the Board to focus on the effectiveness of forest practices in achieving objectives, legislated by government,
for forest resource values.
The Board audits tenure holders and government ministries for compliance with and enforcement of the Code and the Act; carries out special investigations and issues reports as appropriate; investigates concerns and complaints from the public;
and participates in appeals to the Forest Appeals Commission.
Legislation ensures Board independence from licensees and government. While the Board submits reports to the Ministers of
Forests and Range, Environment, Agriculture and Lands, and Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, its reports are not provided
to government for revision or comment in advance of public release. When the Board deals with an audit of or complaint about
a government agency, that agency receives the same level of information about the Board's preliminary findings as any other
auditee or complaint subject.
The Forest Practices Board's funding is determined directly by Treasury Board, and is distinct from the budget of the Ministry
of Forests and Range.
Vision, Mission and Values
Vision
Forests that are soundly managed to sustain the full range of forest values and forest resources for British Columbians.
Mission
The Board serves the public interest as the independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices in British Columbia.
Values
The Board:
- acts on behalf of the public's interest, not those of any single group;
- is straightforward in its approach;
- emphasizes solutions over assigning blame;
- behaves in a non-adversarial, balanced manner;
- treats all people with respect, fairness and sensitivity;
- performs in a measured, unbiased and non-partisan manner;
- carries out its mandate with integrity and efficiency;
- provides clear and concise reports to the public;
- bases actions and decisions on knowledge, experience and common sense; and
- is accessible and accountable.
The Board remains objective and independent from industry, environmental groups and government. Board members have diverse
backgrounds and experiences, allowing the Board to fairly represent the public interest. The expertise of the Board and its
staff is recognized by stakeholders, and it has well-defined processes for audits and investigation. Specific strategies for
achieving the Board's values include:
- consulting regularly with key stakeholders to share information and seek comment and perspectives on current issues the Board
is examining;
- providing an opportunity for adversely affected parties to respond, and demonstrate how responses have been considered, before
reports are finalized;
- seeking input from a variety of interest groups including heads of regulatory agencies, industry licensees, researchers and
interested non-government organizations to determine issues worthy of investigation;
- dealing with all participants in a transparent and non-adversarial manner;
- seeking informal opportunities to resolve complaints where possible; and
- improving complaint investigation processes through surveys of participant satisfaction.