British Columbia forestry groups have written to Premier David Eby saying the industry is at a “breaking point” and calling for urgent action to address challenges ranging from provincial permitting delays to U.S. tariffs.
The letter is co-authored by groups representing contractors, manufacturers, unions and others dependent on forestry, including the BC Council of Forest Industries, BC First Nations Forestry Council and the Truck Loggers Association.
The groups acknowledge that international trade pressures are beyond the premier’s control, but say many challenges are “homegrown.”
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The letter asks Eby to take swift action to form a crisis group with a mandate to cut costs, remove regulatory barriers and get economically viable wood moving.
The groups say the group should be led by Eby’s office and bring together senior government decision makers and representatives from across the sector.
The letter also asks Eby to increase B.C.’s economically viable harvest to 45 million cubic metres annually, up from a current projection of 29 million cubic metres.
The province had issued an update on Aug. 27 saying it was exploring what it described as a working forest landscape model and identify areas where logging will be prioritized with the aim of reaching the target of 45 million cubic metres.
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B.C. has seen mill closures in recent years, with Domtar announcing last month it was shuttering its Howe Sound pulp mill along with a chipping facility in the region.
“B.C. companies cannot control U.S. trade policy. But British Columbia can control many of the costs, regulations, policies, permitting processes and fibre-access decisions that determine whether those companies survive it,” the letter says.
“While international trade pressures are beyond the province’s direct control, many of the conditions determining whether B.C. companies can continue operating are not.”
Good. The last thing we need is more pollution and deforestation caused by the forest industry here in BC. Good thing we have Eby and FN sticking up the future of our province and the environment here in BC. That’s why British Columbians voted NDP and will continue to vote NDP
This is going to come out of our pockets I guarantee you that.
Another example of Eby’s incompetence. Mills closing, job losses, wildfires destroying communities and what is Eby doing not selling US booze in the liquor stores and buying signs to put up at the borders. This would be a joke except it’s not funny for a lot of people. Eby is doing nothing to help the people of BC He isn’t even helping Canada by blocking the pipeline so we cannot get our oil across Canada these premiers are all talk and no action
The forest industry has closed the mills in the interior of B.C. putting thousands of people out of work. Now they make demands. FAFO.
No old growth for you.
Trust the NDP government to run an efficient economy? It’s too busy virtue signalling. Good luck.
He will jack up the stumpage rates and give the natives free stumpage fees. What a looser this guy is.
Forest industry has been in decline for 40 years. A lot of blame to go around
Just looking for more free handout cash before deciding to quietly leave for the US.
Message to the forestry industry Eby doesn’t care about you his only concerns are DRIPA & free drugs for addicts.
I’m sorry. You voted for this! Enjoy your poverty!
Eby blames everything on Trump when most the blame is on him.
Raw logs sent overseas for decades
Eby does not care. Well except for the union payoffs
Lost in mail. Sent it out 20 years ago
And yet another industry hampered by the greed of the FN. This province is imploding on its own. have your popcorn ready.
“ While international trade pressures are beyond the province’s direct control, many of the conditions determining whether B.C. companies can continue operating are not”
No need to even list the mains ones eh?
The industry was already at breaking point before the tariffs due to Eby handing control of it over to the FNs.
How many mills closed and company’s had left the region before the tariffs.
Too many to count.