June 1, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In an Unlikely Turn of Events, Political Rivals Join Forces to Confront Forest Crisis and Public Safety Risks

Victoria, BC — In a move that highlights the urgency of BC’s worsening forest and wildfire crisis, Unlikely Allies is proud to welcome two former Members of the Legislative Assembly—Adam Olsen (Green Party) and Mike Morris (BC United)—to its advisory board.

Unlikely Allies is a nonpartisan coalition of Indigenous leaders, scientists, conservationists, trappers, hunters, forestry professionals, and former political adversaries. Though we have long disagreed on policy, we are now working together out of necessity. Decades of mismanagement, short-sighted forest practices, and climate-driven extremes have created risks too serious to ignore—risks that now pose escalating threats to public health, safety, infrastructure, and ecosystems.

The addition of Adam Olsen brings deep experience in environmental governance, Indigenous rights, and community advocacy. As a member of the Tsartlip First Nation and former MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, Olsen has long been a powerful voice for ecological integrity and collaborative leadership.

“I am very excited to join in support of the work of Unlikely Allies,” said Olsen. “I have been impressed with their commitment to setting aside differences and committing to work together to achieve the common goals. As our world becomes more polarized, I want to spend my time working with people from all walks of life, in collaboration, and on important environmental and conservation issues.”

Former BC United  MLA Mike Morris brings decades of experience in public safety, environmental oversight, and law enforcement. “Unlikely Allies is a strong reflection of British Columbians as a whole,” said Morris, “people who have a passion for nature and the wonders of our forests and waterways. I was pleased to accept their invitation to add my passion and thoughts in getting the balance right between socioeconomics and resource sustainability. The health and safety of British Columbians is at great risk from increased frequency, magnitude, and duration of flood events that science has now confirmed are caused by the loss of our forest canopies, and the subsequent dehydration of our watersheds substantially increases the risks of wildfires.”

With Adam and Mike’s insights, Unlikely Allies is better positioned to hold governments accountable for the very real liabilities they now face: catastrophic wildfires fueled by dry, overcut landscapes; flooding that threatens homes and infrastructure; and the collapse of biodiversity that sustains our water, air, and food systems.

“We’re doing exactly what I wish the government would do,” says Nik Coutinho, Executive Director of Unlikely Allies. “Work together across the aisle when our values align—and fight about the rest later. Right now, people’s lives, homes, and health are at stake. That has to come first.”

Unlikely Allies is calling for urgent reform, including appointing a Chief Ecologist, fully implementing the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework, and shifting toward silviculture and forest planning practices that reduce risk to both people and ecosystems. A full list of recommendations can be found in their most recent report, The State of Our Forests at UnlikelyAllies.ca

For media inquiries or interviews, please contact:
Nik Coutinho
Executive Director, Unlikely Allies
www.unlikelyallies.ca