The forest industry in B.C. is in crisis and all levels of government need to take action to protect this vital industry, Campbell River Mayor Kermit Dahl says.
“The decline in the forest sector isn’t just a stat(istic),” Mayor Dahl told city council’s May 23 regular meeting. “It’s a real crisis impacting people and communities. All levels of government need to take action to protect good forestry jobs and ensure a sustainable future for this critical industry.”
Dahl was inspired to make the comment after recent news came out about forest company Canfor announcing a sawmill closure and pulp mill production curtailment in the Prince George area and suspending plans to build a new mill in Houston, B.C.
“Three BC communities are dramatically impacted by this announcement, including hundreds of people losing jobs that support families that keep local economy strong,” the mayor said.
There are significant challenges within the forests “that created B.C.,” the mayor said, including uncertainties about fibre supply and B.C. government forest policies and directives, including old growth deferrals, and reducing available log supply.
“B.C. forests supported families and communities for generations,” The mayor said.
The mayor said the B.C. Council of Forest Industries 2024 report outlines key findings about the B.C. forest industry including creating approximately 100,000 total jobs spread throughout the province; $17.4 billion in value added activity; $5.5 billion derived from forestry, logging and support activities; $8.3 billion for wood products manufacturing and $3.6 billion from pulp and paper manufacturing. It creates approximately $9.1 billion in labor income, which includes wages and salaries and social contributions from employers, such as contributions to pensions. These activities generate $6.6 billion in government revenue.
In addition between 2013 and 2020 to approximately $15.8 billion was invested in B.C. by forest sector capital expenditures, repair and maintenance. Spin off effects will impact other sectors including food services, supplies, banking and financial institutions, auto dealers, arts, clothing, retail stores, hotels, etc.
Without change, announcements like the Canfor announcements will continue to happen across B.C.impacting all communities, including Campbell River.
“That’s why I wanted to bring this up,” the mayor said. “Campbell River has already been through losing our mills it’s been quite a period of time now, 15 plus years, that our community knows what it feels like to be in a position that Prince George, Houston and other communities up there are in now.
“So, I think that we should be stepping up and having a voice supporting our community and those communities.”
The forest industry in Campbell River isn’t the third most important industry like tourism, he said in reference to a previous discussion in the council meeting, it’s number one.
Coun. Ron Kerr put forward a motion that the city of Campbell River send a letter to the Minister of Forests expressing concern about the provincial government’s recent management and forest practices and the impacts to local communities. And that a letter be forwarded to other communities who are dependent on the forest sector.
The motion passed.