Premier addresses plans to revitalize forestry

Premier Eby also noted a new measure to not only diversify lumber markets, especially in light of the current trade war and ongoing softwood lumber dispute.

“We have $10 Million fund that supports diversification of markets. It’s currently administered by the government. We’re going to bring in industry voices to assist us in ensuring that we’re developing markets outside of the United States that allow for the sale of Canadian wood products internationally more effectively. “

New Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says he has undertaken an overhaul of BC Timber Sales to improve access “How can we use BC Timber Sales to show the type of forest sector we want for the next hundred years? How can we lead a world class product? Civic culture practices? How can we take advantage of thinning? We often hear the examples of Nordic countries having a much smaller land base but getting more fibre out. The reason they’re doing that is they are leading in severe cold to practices like commercial thinning.”

Last month the Province’s Chief Forester updated the allocation for the annual allowable cut. And the premier says the plan is to get there.

“Definitely a lot more work that we have to do with the forest sector. Our goal is working forest base of 45 million cubic meters. That’s a very important number for the industry. That is the number that allows sustainable forest jobs into the future. And it’s also a priority for communities that are forest-dependent communities. So that’s our shared goal. We’ve got a lot of work to do and we’re headed in the right direction.”

The Premier outlined the government’s goal to have forest and wildfire salvage permits turned around in 25 days instead of 40.

by Cheryl Jahn

Premier addresses plans to revitalize forestry

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