BC Timber Sales - Indigenous business opportunities

BCTS supports several initiatives to increase Indigenous business opportunities and partnerships across British Columbia.

On this page

• Partnership agreements
• Memorandum of Understanding
• Collaborative Management Agreements
• Disposition Agreements
• BCTS contracts

Partnership agreements

BCTS works with First Nations to build ongoing positive relationships and partnerships, with the goal of becoming “partners of choice” with First Nations.  The following is information on mutually beneficial agreements that First Nations and BCTS can enter into to collaboratively work together in the forest sector.

Memorandum of Understanding

A Memorandum of Understanding can be helpful in the early stages of relationship building to identify mutually beneficial opportunities that a First Nation and BCTS can work towards fulfilling and implementing. The benefit of this agreement is the development of collaborative partnerships that may lead to additional agreements.

Collaborative Management Agreements

Collaborative Management Agreements are usually entered into by First Nations and BCTS regarding the management of areas of mutual interest. These agreements define how parties will work together on the land base to address mutual interests and serve to foster long-term, mutually beneficial business arrangements and relationships between the signatories. This could include terms on coordinated planning, certification requirements, and on-the-ground operations. A Collaborative Management Agreement could result in employment opportunities, capacity building, contracting efficiencies, and reduced planning and administration costs. 

Disposition Agreements

Disposition Agreements are voluntary agreements where BCTS competitively sells volume from a First Nation’s tenure, on their behalf. In return, BCTS provides a negotiated benefit (often payment; however can include other benefits such as contract and capacity-building opportunities). 

A Disposition Agreement can increase First Nations’ involvement in forest planning to ensure their values are incorporated. Through Disposition Agreements, First Nations receive a fair market value for the disposition volume and employment for the community.

For more information on partnership agreements, please contact the local BCTS Business Area or email BCTS.IndigenousRelations@gov.bc.ca.

BCTS contracts 

Indigenous businesses are encouraged to pursue BCTS contracts subject to the competitive bidding process. BCTS contract opportunities in forestry related areas can include planning, development, professional services and silviculture. Current contracts open to bidding can be found on the BC Bid Portal. 

For more information, please contact the local BCTS Business Area.