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UPDATE: Northbound traffic trickling through blocked portion of Highway 1 in Langford

Group calling for an end of all old-growth forest logging in B.C.
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Traffic trickles along Highway 1 in Langford, with a Save Old Growth blockade further up the road near West Shore Parkway. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Traffic continues to be slow northbound along the Trans Canada Highway south of West Shore Parkway due to a protest by Save Old Growth members, but vehicles are getting through with a single southbound lane opened up for northbound travellers.

Save Old Growth said earlier Wednesday in a statement that its supporters would be blocking the highway as they demand the provincial government legislate an end to all old-growth logging in B.C.

“After years of petitions, marches, and letter-writing campaigns to protect old-growth forests, it’s clear that we – the public – must enter into civil resistance to protect these ancient giants once and for all,” the group said in a statement.

The group called on the province to implement the Old Growth Review Panel’s recommendations in full.

The B.C. government has so far negotiated to protect 1.7 million hectares of the ancient forests, according to its most recent update.

Save Old Growth pointed to the forests being key carbon sinks that are needed to avoid an “ecological breakdown” that would affect millions of Canadians.

“This is not a big demand, we’ve only got 2.7 per cent of the productive old-growth left,” said Save Old Growth spokesperson Julia Torgerson.

READ: Save Old Growth says supporters will block Greater Victoria traffic to start Easter weekend

READ: B.C. old-growth logging deferrals exceed Great Bear Rainforest


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