The 㽶Ƶֱsignificant pressures㽶Ƶֱ on British Columbia㽶Ƶֱs forest industry have prompted a review of BC Timber Sales, the organization that manages about 20 per cent of the annual allowable cut.
Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says in a statement that the review will ensure the sector can continue to evolve to overcome challenges and create a more resilient industry in the future.
Parmar says he has asked Lennard Joe, CEO of the First Nations Forestry Council; George Abbott, a former B.C. government cabinet minister; and Brian Frenkel, a councillor with the District of Vanderhoof, to lead the review.
The statement says taking the action recognizes the pressures the forest sector is under from declining allowable annual cuts, difficulty accessing fibre, global economic conditions and heightened environmental and trade protections.
Recommendations expected from the review include creating growth and diversification in the industry, providing reliable access to fibre, strengthening partnerships with First Nations and providing more jobs.
The review will also consider input from the Provincial Forestry Forum, a group that brings together all interests in the sector, including contractors, value-added manufacturers, industry and labour.
㽶ƵֱOur work to get more value out of our forests is a top priority as we grow the B.C. wood-manufacturing sector,㽶Ƶֱ Parmar says in the statement. 㽶ƵֱThat㽶Ƶֱs why we are doubling the amount of (timber sales) volume that is dedicated to value-added manufacturers, from 10 per cent to 20 per cent. That㽶Ƶֱs about 1.1 million cubic metres in 2025 alone.㽶Ƶֱ
The Opposition B.C. Conservative party says the industry needs 㽶Ƶֱimmediate, tangible action㽶Ƶֱ rather than 㽶Ƶֱmore reviews and delays.㽶Ƶֱ
The party㽶Ƶֱs forests critic, Ward Stamer, says the harvesting approval process needs to be sped up and there should be more access to fire-damaged timber and residual fibre to ensure mills have the resources they need to survive.