Consultation process in forest management : perspectives from forestry practitioners, First Nations and provincial government

This thesis examines consultation processes in forest management in British Columbia and explores the potential role of a three-dimensional visualization platform in supporting communication within that process. While consultation in forest management has been widely studied, existing empirical work often examines actor groups in isolation, or specific First Nations consultation processes. This study addresses that gap by bringing together the perspectives of First Nations representatives, forestry practitioners, and provincial government staff within a single research design. Focusing on British Columbia in the context of FLPs, it provides insight into how consultation is experienced during a period of policy transition. A qualitative case study approach was used, grounded in the legislative and policy context of British Columbia. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted using purposive, snowball, and politically important sampling strategies. Interviews explored participants’ roles within consultation, their experiences of the process, and their evaluation of a three-dimensional visualization platform in terms of its perceived utility and relevance. Data were analyzed using a combined inductive and deductive approach, informed by collaborative governance theory and Sustainable Forest Management concepts, with a SWOT analysis applied to assess perceptions of the visualization tool. Findings indicate that consultation is shaped less by a lack of intent than by structural constraints. Participants across all groups described a system under strain, characterized by bureaucratic complexity, limited capacity, high staff turnover, and timelines that do not align with available resources. These pressures are compounded by uneven distributions of authority and responsibility, particularly for First Nations offices managing high volumes of referrals with limited staff. As a result, consultation processes tend to prioritize procedural compliance over substantive engagement, limiting the realization of co-governance objectives associated with DRIPA and UNDRIP. While the visualization platform was seen as having potential to support shared understanding, concerns were raised regarding accessibility, cost, institutional integration, and Indigenous data governance. The thesis concludes that digital tools may enhance communication within consultation but cannot address underlying structural issues. Meaningful progress depends on resourcing Indigenous participation, engaging earlier in planning processes, and making explicit decisions about how authority is shared in forest governance.