Halalt First Nation ‘shocked and dismayed’ over North Cowichan move to prioritize logging in Municipal Forest Reserve
Chief James Thomas says the decision disregards the 'findings from years of public engagement' on use of the forest reserve
The Chief of Halalt First Nation has written a scathing letter to North Cowichan council criticizing its decision to make logging a strategic priority in the Municipal Forest Reserve in 2026.
In a letter dated October 8, Chief James Thomas expresses shock and dismay at council’s “unilateral decision” of August 20, saying it has “undermined the positive relationship we have been working to build and will directly harm our constitutionally protected rights in our territory.”
Thomas asks that North Cowichan “cease any action to re-open harvesting in the Forest Reserve until such time as the Municipal Forest Reserve Working Group, established pursuant to the 2021 Memorandum of Understanding (the "Working Group"), has finalized the co-management plan and meaningfully implemented it, including by ensuring consideration of the impacts of further forest harvesting on our rights and the required protections.”
He added: "In addition to disregarding your commitments to Halalt and the other members of the Quw'ustun Nation, you have disregarded the findings from years of public engagement on the use of the Forest Reserve."
North Cowichan citizens have "called for the halt of harvesting in the Forest Reserve and a focus on active conservation, and there have been years of forest reviews, reports, and relationship building to get us to where we were prior to your August decision," Thomas said.
Citizens have also "shown a desire for a conservation mindset and reconciliation with the Quw'utsun Nation, and this decision undermines those goals."
The full letter: https://pub-northcowichan.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=20829
Without naming names, Thomas’ letter takes square aim at the four North Cowichan councillors —Bruce Findlay, Tek Manhas, Mike Caljouw, and Becky Hogg — who voted to make the renewal of logging in the forest reserve a strategic priority in 2026.
(Clockwise from top left, Bruce Findlay, Tek Manhas, Mike Caljouw, and Becky Hogg.)
Mayor Rob Douglas and councillors Christopher Justice and Chris Istace voted against.
Thomas says that the forest reserve largely occupies “six mountains of deep cultural and spiritual significance” to the Halalt and the Quw’utsun Nation communities, including in the Chemainus River watershed.
“We maintain especially strong relations with the land, waters and resources throughout the watershed,” he writes. “Crucially, the watershed contains many important cultural and ceremonial bathing sites, and has been a primary and valued source of fish, shellfish, wildlife, cedar, and cultural and medicinal plants for our members.”
Thomas adds that his people are concerned about the state of the Chemainus River watershed as a result of industrial activities. (https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2025/10/03/Down-a-Forgotten-River/ )
(Mosaic clearcut in upper Chemainus watershed.)
In 2024, the Halalt filed a law suit against North Cowichan, Mosaic Forest Management and others, citing logging practices upstream that have contributed to downstream flooding.
(Read more: https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/6df43788-378e-4020-9ff3-3b7b7ffe4f39 )
In response to the August 20 vote, North Cowichan staff are preparing a report with details and options, including the cost of starting up logging, where logging might occur and its impacts on issues such as trails and the environment.
(Read more: https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/9b0f8444-c91d-4f34-8f71-480e0b9173f5 )
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— Larry Pynn, Oct. 10, 2025
