Urgent Call for Action to Address British Columbia's Forestry Crisis

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A coalition of organizations representing various stakeholders in British Columbia's forest sector urges the provincial government to take immediate action to address a deepening crisis affecting the industry. They propose the formation of a Forestry Crisis Action Group to stabilize the sector and protect jobs.

A joint letter addressed to British Columbia Premier David Eby has been issued by a coalition of organizations representing workers, manufacturers, contractors, communities, and businesses involved in the province's forest sector. The signatories express that the industry is currently at a critical juncture and stress the necessity for immediate action from the government. They are urging the establishment of a Forestry Crisis Action Group, which would be led by the Premier’s Office and include senior government decision-makers along with representatives from various sectors of the forestry industry. The group's primary goal would be to facilitate the movement of economically viable wood products, reduce operational costs, eliminate regulatory barriers, stabilize the supply of timber, and retain the skilled workforce in British Columbia's forestry sector without the need for retraining.
The urgency of this call to action is underscored by a recent report from the federal Forest Sector Transformation Task Force, which highlighted that many of the challenges faced by Canadian forestry are largely 'homegrown.' While external trade pressures exist, the conditions influencing the operational viability of B.C. companies are largely within the province's control. The task force has also recommended the formation of a Canadian Forest Management Office, and the proposed B.C. Forestry Crisis Action Group could serve as a coordinated body to align provincial priorities with federal initiatives, addressing the pressing realities faced by producers, workers, and communities in British Columbia.
Adding to the urgency is the breakdown of trade discussions between Canada and the U.S., which has resulted in new tariffs of 50 percent under Section 338. Canadian softwood lumber is already facing combined duties and tariffs exceeding 45 percent, and this new regulation widens the scope of high tariffs to include a range of Canadian forest products and building materials, such as plywood and engineered wood products. While B.C. companies cannot control U.S. trade policies, they can influence the costs, regulations, and permitting processes that determine their operational viability.
The entire forestry value chain is at risk, encompassing harvesting, transportation, primary manufacturing, pulp and paper production, engineered wood, and value-added manufacturing. The letter emphasizes that the sector cannot sustain these pressures indefinitely and calls for immediate provincial action.
The letter also highlights the fiscal challenges currently facing British Columbia. An acknowledged error in natural-gas revenue forecasts is expected to result in a loss of approximately $300 million annually, totaling about $1.46 billion over the next five years. The forest sector is positioned to help mitigate this revenue loss. The province's current fiscal plan anticipates a Crown timber harvest of around 29 million cubic metres annually; however, with prompt government intervention, the industry believes that this could increase to approximately 45 million cubic metres.
The importance of this objective has been recognized by the government, with the minister of forests confirming on April 9, 2025, that efforts to achieve this goal are being advanced alongside other priority projects. The Coalition of Forest Industries (COFI) estimates that raising the harvest to 45 million cubic metres could potentially generate an additional $600 million in annual government revenue, while simultaneously supporting jobs, contractors, and communities, and maintaining manufacturing capacity in the province.
Moreover, the forest industry could play a crucial role in addressing the increasing risk of wildfires across British Columbia. However, to do so effectively, it requires expedited salvage permits to utilize timber damaged by wildfires and investments in silviculture and forest management to prevent future disasters. The letter argues that it is crucial for the government to act decisively to remove barriers that hinder the sector's ability to operate efficiently and effectively, thereby generating additional revenue for the province and protecting communities and jobs.
The letter outlines specific actions the government should take, starting with freezing any new provincial fees or taxes that could further burden the forest sector during this trade crisis. It also calls for a comprehensive review of planned cost increases that could weaken the already struggling companies.
Furthermore, the letter advocates for immediate triage of permitting and fibre opportunities throughout the province, suggesting the formation of a senior, cross-ministry team with industry and First Nations representation to identify and resolve barriers that prevent economically viable timber from reaching manufacturers. The goal is to accelerate the movement of timber that can be responsibly harvested, including ready-to-sell BC Timber Sales volumes and wildfire salvage permits.
The coalition emphasizes that while long-term transformation of the forest sector is important, the immediate focus must be on retaining skilled workers and preventing closures of mills and manufacturing facilities. The time for gradual measures and studies has passed; immediate action is essential. The letter concludes with a strong call for the government to convene the Forestry Crisis Action Group and work collaboratively to stabilize the sector, protect employment, and restore British Columbia's global competitiveness in forestry.

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