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March 8, 2010

In response to local government’s March 5 announcement to purchase lands in the Jordan River, Sooke Potholes and Weeks Lake areas, the ELC is grateful to have played a part in one of its most important victories ever.

Partnering with The Land Conservancy, the CRD has reached an agreement in principle to purchase 2,350 hectares of land from Western Forest Products for $18.8 million. The lands will be protected for recreation, conservation and watershed protection for generations to come and include over 3.5km of shoreline from the world-famous surfing beach at Jordan River to Sandcut Beach.

One of the actions that contributed to this decision was the ELC’s 2007 submission on behalf of the Sea-to-Sea Greenbelt Society to the Auditor General, which argued that the provincial government had improperly released the forest lands in question for development. In a scathing report, the Auditor General concluded that government:
  • made the decision without sufficient regard for the public interest;
  • put greater weight on assisting the forest company’s financial restructuring than on other public interests;
  • put corporate interest above the public interests; and
  • the Forest Company and its parent company had made significant political contributions.


    • The report triggered a political storm that drove public demand for protection of the South Island’s Wild Coast. A good summary of the political controversy and the Wild Coast movement is given in a Focus Magazine article.

    The uproar made the front page of the national and provincial newspapers and led to more than a dozen angry editorials with headlines such "Stink of corruption sticking to BC government" and "Betrayal of the Public Trust." Click here for links to the numerous articles.

    While the new agreement doesn’t cover all forest lands released by the provincial government, tens of thousands of hectares of land in the area have previously been protected from development by rezoning of 300-acre minimum lots in an ELC-advocated initiative legislated last fall. The ELC has taken a number of other legal actions to advance this cause.

    Many thanks are due to the ELC students who have worked for the Sea-to-Sea Greenbelt Society on this issue since May 2007. Their law school work will leave a long-term legacy: Melinda Skeels, Dana Dempster, Emma Lehrer, Michaelin Scott, Tim Thielmann, Elizabeth Anderson, Rachel Forbes, Zahra Jimale, Earl Stevenson, Jen Smith and Micah Carmody.

    Thanks are also due to ELC staffers, who have put in hundreds of hours of work on this legal project: Holly Pattison, Deborah Curran, Chris Tollefson, and Calvin Sandborn.

    Finally, thanks to the ELC Board, the Law Faculty and especially to the Tula Foundation, all of whom make ELC operations possible.

     



    ELC stories relating to the TFL 25 Deletions on land stretching from Sooke to Jordan River:

    Comments on Land Use Bylaw and Draft OCP (Nov 18/09)

    Submission Asks CRD to Focus on Sustainable Community Development (Sept 29/09)

    Seeking Public Hearings for TFL Subdivision Application (May 30/08)

    Auditor General Slams BC Government for Lack of Public Consultation on TFL Land Deletion (Jul 16/08)

    Auditor General Agrees to Investigate Land Giveaway (Nov 20/07)

    ELC requests Auditor General Investigation (Oct 24/07)

    Media stories related to TFL deletions (Oct2007-Aug2008)

    Jul 16 08 -CBC-Sell-off tfl condemned by BCAG (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/ oct2008/TFL25/Jul%2016%2008%20-CBC-Sell-off%20tfl%20condemned%20by%20B CAG.pdf)
    Jul 16 08 -CFAX-TFL decision made wo regard for public (http://www.elc.uvic. ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08 -CFAX-TFL decision made wo regard for public. pdf)
    Jul 16 08 -Globe-BCAG critical of tfl (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/ TFL25/Jul 16 08 -Globe-BCAG critical of tfl.pdf)
    Jul 16 08 -Globe-Subdivision bulldozes through scenic surfer community (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08 -Globe-Subdivision bulldozes through scenic surfer community.pdf)
    Jul 16 08 -Province-Release of BC lands criticized (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08 -Province-Release of BC lands criticized.pdf)
    Jul 16 08 -TimesC-02-Les Layne_A botched job (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/ oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08 -TimesC-02-Les Layne_A botched job.pdf)
    Jul 16 08 -TimesC-BC too quick to approve land deal (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08 -TimesC-BC too quick to approve land deal.pdf)
    Jul 16 08 -TimesC-Editorial_Govt betrayed public trust (http://www.elc.uvic. ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08 -TimesC-Editorial_Govt betrayed public trust.pdf)
    Jul 16 08 -TimesC-Editorial_Putting the corporations interest first (http:// www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08 -TimesC-Editorial_Putting the corporations interest first.pdf)
    Jul 16 08 -Vancouver Sun-BC removal of land from tfl rapped (http://www.elc. uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08 -Vancouver Sun-BC removal of land from tfl rapped.pdf)
    Jul 16 08 -Vancouver Sun-BC too quick to approve land deals (http://www.elc. uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08 -Vancouver Sun-BC too quick to approve land deals.pdf)
    Jul 16 08-Vancouver Sun-AG cuts teeth on contentious topic (http://www.elc. uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08-Vancouver Sun-AG cuts teach on contentious topic.pdf)
    Jul 16 08-Vancouver Sun-Forest firm takes issue with extraneaous issues (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08-Vancouver Sun-Forest firm takes issue with extraneaous issues.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -Alberni Valley News-Forest land audit sparks range war (http://www. elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -Alberni Valley News-Forest land audit sparks range war.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -Canwest-BC too quick to approve land deals (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -Canwest-BC too quick to approve land deals.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -CNW Media Release-FLR urgently needed (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -CNW Media Release-FLR urgently needed.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -Globe-Report slams BC for freeing up forests (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -Globe-Report slams BC for freeing up forests.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -Nanaimo News-Forestry deal gives lie to claims of openess (http:// www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -Nanaimo News-Forestry deal gives lie to claims of openess.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -National-Post_BCAG Criticizes Land-Use Decision (http://www.elc. uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/
    Jul 17 08 -National-Post_BCAG Criticizes Land-Use Decision.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -NationalPost-Stink of corruption sticking to BC government (http:// www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -NationalPost-Stink of corruption sticking to BC government.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -Province-Coleman blasted for tfl decision (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -Province-Coleman blasted for tfl decision.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -Province-Shame on Bell (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/
    Jul 17 08 -Province-Shame on Bell.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -TimesC-A1-Critics call for reversal of tfl deal (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -TimesC-A1-Critics call for reversal of tfl deal.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -TimesC-A1-Forest deal lacked regard (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/ oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -TimesC-A1-Forest deal lacked regard.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -TimesC-A2-Forest deal lacked regard (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/ oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -TimesC-A2-Forest deal lacked regard.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -TimesC-Auditor reveals a public betrayal (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -TimesC-Auditor reveals a public betrayal.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -TimesC-Colemans credibility gap (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/ oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -TimesC-Colemans credibility gap.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -TimesC-Conflict of interest probe to target former minister (http:// www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -TimesC-Conflict of interest probe to target former minister.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -TimesC-Critics call for reversal of tfl deal (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -TimesC-Critics call for reversal of tfl deal.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -TimesC-Forest deal lacked regard for public interest (http://www.elc. uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -TimesC-Forest deal lacked regard for public interest.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -Vancouver Sun-Conflict watchdog looks at ex-forests minister (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -Vancouver Sun-Conflict watchdog looks at ex-forests minister.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -Vancouver-Sun-AG Land-Use report sparks a brawl (http://www.elc. uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -Vancouver-Sun-AG Land-Use report sparks a brawl.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -Vancouver-Sun-AG rips govt over land deal (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -Vancouver-Sun-AG rips govt over land deal.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -Vancouver-Sun-ED-Campbell must abandon closed-door decisionmaking (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -Vancouver-Sun-EDCampbell must abandon closed-door decision-making.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -Vancouver-Sun-TC-A Botched Job (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/ oct2008/TFL25/Jul 17 08 -Vancouver-Sun-TC-A Botched Job.pdf)
    Jul 17 08 -Vancouver-Sun-TC-Editorial (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/ TFL25/Jul 17 08 -Vancouver-Sun-TC-Editorial.pdf)
    Jul 18 08 -Globe-AG slams BC finance records (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/ oct2008/TFL25/Jul 18 08 -Globe-AG slams BC finance records.pdf)
    Jul 18 08 -National-Post_BC residents still waiting for answers (http://www.elc. uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 18 08 -National-Post_BC residents stil waiting for answers.pdf)
    Jul 18 08 -National-Post_Campbells Cabinet showing serious signs of rot (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 18 08 -National-Post_Campbells Cabinet showing serious signs of rot.pdf)
    Jul 18 08 -National-Post_Whats that smell in BC (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/ oct2008/TFL25/Jul 18 08 -National-Post_Whats that smell in BC.pdf)
    Jul 18 08 -Province-BC auditor unfazed by criticism (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 18 08 -Province-BC auditor unfazed by criticism.pdf)
    Jul 18 08 -Province-Dog days of summer dog premier and pals (http://www. elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 18 08 -Province-Dog days of summer dog premier and pals.pdf)
    Jul 18 08 -Province-ED-Dont shoot the messenger (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 18 08 -Province-ED-Dont shoot the messenger.pdf)
    Jul 18 08 -TimesC-Doyle surprised by attacks over report (http://www.elc.uvic. ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 18 08 -TimesC-Doyle surprised by attacks over report. pdf)
    Jul 18 08 -TimesC-ED-Cambell Bell owe answers (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/ oct2008/TFL25/Jul 18 08 -TimesC-ED-Cambell Bell owe answers.pdf)
    Jul 18 08 -TimesC-ED-No development without hearings (http://www.elc.uvic. ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 18 08 -TimesC-ED-No development without hearings. pdf)
    Jul 18 08 -TimesC-letters to editor (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/
    Jul 18 08 -TimesC-letters to editor.pdf)
    Jul 18 08 -TimesC-Logging spikes when lands removed (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 18 08 -TimesC-Logging spikes when lands removed.pdf)
    Jul 19 08 -Globe-Can the forest industry grow again (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 19 08 -Globe-Can the forest industry grow again.pdf)
    Jul 19 08 -Globe-Island future water supply made unfit by logging (http:// www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 19 08 -Globe-Island future water supply made unfit by logging.pdf)
    Jul 19 08 -Sun-Forest firm takes issue (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/ TFL25/Jul 19 08 -Sun-Forest firm takes issue.pdf)
    Jul 19 08 -TimesC-Les Layne_Expect more growls from new watchdog (http:// www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 19 08 -TimesC-Les Layne_Expect more growls from new watchdog.pdf)
    Jul 19 08 -TimesC-Liberals bluster cant hide botched forest-land file (http:// www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 19 08 -TimesC-Liberals bluster cant hide botched forest-land file.pdf)
    Jul 19 08 -TimesC-Rich Coleman minister of real estate development (http:// www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 19 08 -TimesC-Rich Coleman minister of real estate development.pdf)
    Jul 20 08 -Province-Heres hoping Doyle sinks his teeth into ICBC scandal (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 20 08 -Province-Heres hoping Doyle sinks his teeth into ICBC scandal.pdf)
    Jul 20 08 -Raeside-comic (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 20 08 -Raeside-comic.pdf)
    Jul 20 08 -TimesC-CEO blasts report (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/ TFL25/Jul 20 08 -TimesC-CEO blasts report.pdf)
    Jul 20 08 -TimesC-Former approval officer consulting for developer (http:// www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 20 08 -TimesC-Former approval officer consulting for developer.pdf)
    Jul 21 08-Sun-letters to editor (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 21 08-Sun-letters to editor.pdf)
    Jul 22 08 -StraightGoods-The smell of Gordo’s demise (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 22 08 -StraightGoods-The smell of Gordo’s demise.pdf)
    Jul 22 08 -TimesC-02-Les Layne_Coleman made TFL deal with few facts (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 22 08 -TimesC-02-Les Layne_ Coleman made TFL deal with few facts.pdf)
    Jul 23 08 -CFAX-Society asks province to stop subdivision (http://www.elc.uvic. ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 23 08 -CFAX-Society asks province to stop subdivision. pdf)
    Jul 23 08 -Saanich-News-Auditor barks, bites BC gov (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 23 08 -Saanich-News-Auditor barks, bites BC gov.pdf)
    Jul 23 08 -TimesC-Government spin on forest industry not new (http://www. elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 23 08 -TimesC-Government spin on forest industry not new.pdf)
    Jul 23 08 -TimesC-NDP asks Doyle to turn focus on Alberni Valley (http://www. elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 23 08 -TimesC-NDP asks Doyle to turn focus on Alberni Valley.pdf)
    Jul 24 08 -Globe-District warns forestry firm over clearing land (http://www. elc.uvic.ca/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 24 08 -Globe-District warns forestry firm over clearing land-scan.pdf)
    Jul 24 08 -Straight-Logging companies look to flip forests in BC (http://www. elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 24 08 -Straight-Logging companies look to flip forests in BC.pdf)
    Jul 24 08 -TimesC-Green groups demand cabinet axe subdivisions (http:// www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 24 08 -TimesC-Green groups demand cabinet axe subdivisions-scan.pdf)Jul 25 08 -CRD orders halt to road building on disputed land (http://www.elc. uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/
    Jul 25 08 -CRD orders halt to road building on disputed land.pdf)
    Jul 28 08 -Globe-A first-hand look (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/
    Jul 28 08 -Globe-A first-hand look.pdf)
    Jul 28 08 -Globe-Towns seek review of forestry decision (http://www.elc.uvic. ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 28 08 -Globe-Towns seek review of forestry decision.pdf)
    Jun 2 08-TimesC-Hearings demanded for JR plans (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jun 2 08-TimesC-Hearings demanded for JR plans.pdf)
    Jun 4 08-TimesCED-Hearings a must on land rezoning (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Jun 4 08-TimesCED-Hearings a must on land rezoning.pdf)
    Jun 9 08-TimesC-CRD wants tree-farm hearing (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/ oct2008/TFL25/Jun 9 08-TimesC-CRD wants tree-farm hearing.pdf)
    May 2008 -Focus-Local Liberals silent on Jordan River fiasco (http://www.elc. uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/May 2008 -Focus-Local Liberals silent on Jordan River fiasco.pdf)
    raeside-comic (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/raeside-comic.pdf) Apr 11 08 Forest firm racing (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Apr 11 08 Forest firm racing.pdf)
    Apr 16 08 land-use decisions assault democracy TC (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/Apr 16 08 land-use decisions assault democracy TC.pdf)
    Apr 18 08 -TimesCED-Forest land deals betray our region (http://www.elc.uvic. ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Apr 18 08 -TimesCED-Forest land deals betray our region. pdf)
    Aug 4 08 -BusinessExaminer-WFP foments a new furore over land use
    Aug 10 08-TimesC-letters to editor (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/
    TFL25/Aug 10 08-TimesC-letters to editor.pdf )
    Aug 13 08 -Globe-Regional gov may sue over development (http://www. elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Aug 13 08 -Globe-Regional gov may sue over development.pdf)
    Aug 17 08 -BusinessEx-Sell Off (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Aug 17 08 -BusinessEx-Sell Off.pdf)
    Aug 19 08 -TimesC-Poll a warning for BC Liberals (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/ oct2008/TFL25/
    Aug 19 08 -TimesC-Poll a warning for BC Liberals.pdf)
    Aug 2008 -Focus-ED-Breathtaking (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/ Aug 2008 -Focus-ED-Breathtaking.pdf)
    Jul 15 08 -A channel-AG to release tfl report (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/ oct2008/TFL25/Jul 15 08 -A channel-AG to release tfl report.pdf)
    Jul 16 08-250News-AG says decision made wo regard for public (http://www. elc.uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08-250News-AG says decision made wo regard for public.pdf)
    Jul 16 08 -CanadianPress-BCAG says decision premature (http://www.elc.uvic. ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08 -CanadianPress-BCAG says decision premature. pdf)
    Jul 16 08 -Canoe.ca-Public betrayed by tfl removal says AG (http://www.elc. uvic.ca/media/oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08 -Canoe.ca-Public betrayed by tfl removal says AG.pdf)
    Jul 16 08 -CBC-AG report slams sale of forestry land (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/oct2008/TFL25/
    Jul 16 08 -CBC-AG report slams sale of forestry land.pdf)
    Jul 16 08 -CBC-revised-Sell-off of tfl condemned (http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/ oct2008/TFL25/Jul 16 08 -CBC-revised-Sell-off of tfl condemned.pdf)
    (previous TFL articles)
    Auditor general asked to probe land transfer (TC article) http://www.elc.uvic. ca/media/2007-oct24-TFL-auditor-request-TC.jpg
    Groups unite to fight sales of forest land (TC article) http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/2007-nov-2-TFL25-TC_p1.jpg
    Councillor: Core municipalities need a voice in outlying land-use decisions (TC article) http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/2007-nov-2-TFL25-TC_p2.jpg
    Sooke-area band cries foul over sell-off of forest land (TC article) http://www. elc.uvic.ca/media/2007-nov-3-TFL25-TC.jpg
    Liberals’ forest land fiddle generates a deep public backlash (Vancouver Sun) http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/2007-Nov05-Hume-Sun.jpg
    CRD votes to limit west coast lot sizes (TC article) http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/2007-nov-15-CRD-TFL25-TC.jpg
    Sweetheart deal becomes a steal (Nov 2007 Focus magazine) http://www.elc. uvic.ca/media/2007-nov-vhusband-TFL25-focus-mag.pdf
    BC auditor to preview TFL decision (TC article) http://www.elc.uvic.ca/ media/2007-nov-20-auditor-review-TC.jpg
    Colliers brochure showing affected land http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/2007- Colliers%20Brochure-TFL25.pdf
    Rich Coleman’s gift to Western Forest Products (Dec 2007 Focus magazine) http://www.elc.uvic.ca/media/2007-Dec-TFL25-focus-mag.pdf