A major climb-down for the Liberal government today.
 
Forests Minister Steve Thomson has deferred a plan to change forest tenure rules after criticism it would have benefitted large companies and amounted to a sweeping privatization of the land base.

"That's simply one of the misperceptions that has been created out there in terms of that, this doesn't do that at all."

But Thomson says the issue clearly needs further discussion, and the government will conduct further consultation in the summer.