What Happened in Fairy Creek?

Written by Izza Cajuday

Between 2020 to 2022, approximately 1,100 arrests have been made on Vancouver Island as a result of protests against the logging of B.C.’s last unprotected old-growth forest in Fairy Creek. This has been considered the largest display of civil disobedience in Canada. Civil disobedience is the refusal to obey a law that one believes is unjust in a peaceful manner. 

Teal-Jones, the biggest privately owned logging company in British Columbia, received government approval to log in Fairy Creek, a section of rainforest located in a small town on Vancouver Island, and is part of the Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 46. Public outrage ensued when this happened, as Premier John Horgan and his NDP government had promised to protect and stop the logging of old-growth forests as part of his 2017 election campaign. In fact, logging approvals have actually increased since the NDP took office. In response, about 1,000 people have formed a blockade at Fairy Creek, preventing the loggers from fulfilling their instructions. Out of these people, 110 have been arrested numerous times for breaching the injunction (a court order to refrain from certain acts) made by a B.C. Appeal Court Judge against old-growth logging blockades, which had been in place since April 2021. However, in September 2021, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Douglas Thompson denied the request for an extension on the injunction, citing that it infringed on civil liberties and that the actions of the RCMP jeopardized the court’s credibility. Despite this, law enforcement on the site has not left and is still arresting people for breaking other laws. In June of 2021, John Horgan declared that the province will defer old-growth logging for two years in Fairy Creek as well as in the central Walbran area. Hopefully, this promise will be kept. 

The B.C. government defines an old-growth forest as such when it contains trees over 250 years old (coastal), or 140 years old (interior). A typical old-growth tree rises about 60 metres and takes four people with their arms linked together to surround it. In addition to being popular tourist destinations, old-growth forests are home to lush biodiversity, supporting many wildlife and plant life that is native to the area. Furthermore, old-growth forests feature dense canopies, thick, robust bark, large root systems, and enough space between them, to aid in the prevention of forest fires, landslides, and flooding, as well as to preserve water supplies. 

The environmental impact of old-growth logging is significant— these trees are hundreds of years old, storing plenty of carbon dioxide throughout their lifetimes. The logging of these trees results in substantial amounts of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere, directly contributing to climate change and the Greenhouse effect. Additionally, since these trees are home to great biodiversity and are the sole habitats for many animals and wildlife, cutting them down removes essential habitats and plays a part in the decline in the population of specific species native to B.C. 

The Pacheedaht First Nation, whose traditional territory is where the majority of the conflict takes place, is dependent on forestry for revenue and operates three sawmills. Interestingly, Teal-Jones has obtained the Pacheedaht’s consent and the Pacheedaht also has an agreement with the B.C. government wherein they receive a portion of the stumpage fees in return for not interfering. Moreover, the elected and hereditary chiefs of the Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht and Pacheedaht Nations declared sovereignty in response to the environmentalist blockades, even though a percentage of their bands, specifically elders and youth, are on the front lines of the movement and agree with the blockades. Huu-ay-aht Chief Robert Dennis has explained that these protesters are infringing on their sovereignty and treaty rights, as they harvest cedarwood for cultural purposes. He explains that these protestors are seen as patronizing; their actions imply that the First Nations are unable to protect the old-growth on their own land. The involved Indigenous communities' stance is that they should have the main say regarding old growth in that area, given that it is their territory. 

With tensions rising on three fronts, the outcome of Fairy Creek remains unclear. However, what is clear, is that less than one % of the original population of undisturbed old-growth forests remain in British Columbia, and that percentage will continue to decrease if no action is taken to protect them. The answer lies within a balance of Indigenous sovereignty, environmental protection, and the economic and commercial interests of British Columbia. The question remains: will there be a solution before it is too late?