FREDERICTON – A New Brunswick judge has rejected a bid by aboriginal leaders to block an increase in the amount of softwood lumber that can be harvested from Crown lands.
The Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs of New Brunswick asked the Court of Queen’s Bench to impose an injunction that would have prevented the provincial government from signing final agreements with forestry companies.
The chiefs expressed disappointment over the judge’s decision and said in a statement they are considering further legal action, including the possibility an appeal.
“We can not give up. We are definitely not going to give up. We’re going to, I’ve asked the legal team to meet with our leaders and we’re going to discuss our next step. We can’t give up. For the province, for New Brunswick, we cannot give up,” said former Elsipogtog chief, Susan Levi-Peters.
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The agreements are part of the province’s 10-year forestry plan, which allows companies to cut 660,000 more cubic metres of softwood annually, an increase of about 20 per cent.
“We were pleased with the decision today,” said Premier David Alward. “We want to continue working with first nations communities moving forward into the future, but certainly we’re pleased with this decision.”
The chiefs argued that the province failed to adequately consult First Nations communities about the plan.
The group also says the increase in the amount of wood that can be cut will cause irreversible harm to the environment and plant and animal species that the First Nations rely on.
With files from Global News reporter Emily Baron Cadloff
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