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Partnership with Lake Babine Nation Strengthens British Columbia’s Forest Sector

We’re pleased to celebrate the creation of a new First Nations Woodland Licence to be held by LBN Forestry, which is owned by the Lake Babine Nation located in Burns Lake, British Columbia. The licence is the first of its kind between a First Nation and a forestry company in British Columbia.

Seven men stand indoors in a row, dressed in business casual and formal attire, with meeting materials visible in the background.

Announced by the British Columbia Minister of Forests, Ravi Parmar, at a community event at the Lake Babine Nation Band office on July 24, the licence is created from timber tenures contributed by West Fraser, LBN Forestry and the Government of British Columbia, and will be for the Smithers area. It marks a key milestone in the growing partnership between West Fraser and LBN Forestry and reflects a new model for timber tenures and collaboration in British Columbia’s forest sector.

“As stewards of our lands since time immemorial and still today, Lake Babine Nation has forever recognized the deep responsibility we hold in ensuring our forests are managed with ecological respect and generational sustainability.”
Chief Wilf Adam, Lake Babine Nation

An Indigenous woman holds a drum and drumstick while speaking at a podium with a British Columbia sign; people are seated in the background. — A member of the Lake Babine Council sings and drums during the celebration.

The licence builds on two previous agreements between West Fraser and LBN Forestry, which will see logs harvested under the licence supplied to West Fraser’s Pacific Inland Resources sawmill in Smithers.

Speaking at the event, Sean McLaren, President and Chief Executive Officer, noted that the event was particularly meaningful as he spent four years at the start of his career with the company in Burns Lake, working at a forestry operation with Chief Wilf Adam.

“Thank you again to Chief Wilf Adam, the Lake Babine Nation and Minister Parmar — together we are redefining what British Columbia’s forest sector looks like in the 21st century: rooted in respect, sustainability, shared success and moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation,” said Sean.

“This is a great opportunity to celebrate nations, government and companies coming together. West Fraser has shown outstanding leadership and has set a high bar for corporate social responsibility,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests, Government of British Columbia.