Mosaic Forest Management has announced a 3-year proposal to log 11 hectares per year on Cortes Island. The Cortes community has a multi-generational history of collaborating to conserve old growth and biodiverse forests on the island. On May 17th, Mosaic held a community meeting to share the proposal with local islanders. The meeting was met with a civil, and relaxing protest communicating a clear message, “No more clear cuts”. Despite the gentle appearance of the 50+ protesters that demonstrated at the Gorge Hall on Tuesday, their sentiment was firm. Kiyoshi Kosky has been standing up against the logging industries on Cortes Island since he was a youth. As he enjoyed the swing with his young daughter during the protest, his sister Sachika Kosky, reminisced about their days as children standing in front of logging machines. Kiyoshi articulated the documented track record for the timber companies associated with the proposal, which has led to the lack of integrity Mosaic holds with local islanders.
Protesters installed a tripod with a swing, outside the Gorge Hall, enjoyed during the demonstration. Photo by Loni Taylor.
Mosaic Forest Management is an operating arm of Timberwest and Island Timberlands. These companies partner with pension investment firms like British Columbia Investment Management Corporation, Public Sector Pension Investment Board, and Alberta Investment Management Corporation. The literature dispensed at the meeting describes Mosaic's standards as sustainable. At the meeting, Mosaic representatives emphasized relationships with local non-profit organizations that are mandated to protect the local ecology.
Locals seem unconvinced by Mosaic's words, and more driven by the historical and recent actions that the timber companies have taken in the surrounding areas like Red Gate Forest in Nanaimo and Hardwick Island. CKTZ news will be following this story as Mosaic continues to communicate with the community about their logging plans.
"We're happy to pay you the huge amount of money you want from us in order to leave," said protester Kiyoshi Kosky.
Listen to the CKTZ update below: