Conservative Party of BC Leader John Rustad Blasts NDP’s Catastrophic Mismanagement of BC’s Forestry Sector
David Eby and the BC NDP have gutted our forestry sector, leaving communities and workers behind. The BC Conservatives have a clear plan to restore our forests, support our workers, and ensure a sustainable future for BC’s forestry industry.” - John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia
John Rustad, Leader of the
Conservative Party of British Columbia, today condemned Premier David Eby and
the NDP for their continued decimation of the province’s once-thriving forestry
sector, accusing the government of anti-forestry policies that have devastated
workers, families, and communities across British Columbia.
“Under the NDP, BC’s forest
sector is in freefall. Nine major sawmills have closed in the past 18 months,
and contractors and businesses are fleeing the province,” said Rustad.
“Forestry isn’t just an industry—it’s the backbone of our province, supporting
communities, families, and our economy. The NDP’s hostility towards this vital
sector shows contempt for rural British Columbians, who are disproportionately
harmed by this deindustrialization.”
Rustad emphasized that
Conservative Party of BC is committed to revitalizing the forestry sector,
restoring jobs, and enhancing biodiversity. The party plans to provide
certainty to the sector by defining areas for primary forest product harvests
and conservation. This balanced approach will safeguard BC’s ecological values
while ensuring a sustainable and competitive future for forestry.
Key initiatives proposed by the Conservative Party of British Columbia
include:
- Certainty
for BC’s Forest Sector: Approximately 64% of BC’s land is forested, and the Conservative
Party of British Columbia will ensure that nearly two-thirds of this area
remains untouched by industrial activity. The remaining forested landscape
will be managed for sustainable timber production while enhancing
biodiversity. This strategy will help stabilize the supply chain and
provide clear guidelines for sustainable forest management, creating a
balance between economic needs and ecological preservation.
- Modernizing
Stumpage: The
current stumpage system is outdated, rigid, and disconnected from market
realities, which has contributed to mill closures and lost jobs. The
Conservative Party of British Columbia proposes replacing it with a
value-added end product tax that adjusts dynamically with market
conditions. This change will encourage higher-value production, reduce
waste, and provide financial incentives for companies to innovate, thereby
creating more jobs and extracting more value from each harvested tree.
- One
Project, One Permit: Navigating the complex web of permits in BC’s forestry sector is
slow, costly, and fraught with bureaucratic red tape. The Conservative
Party of British Columbia will streamline the permitting process with a
“One Project, One Permit” policy to reduce administrative burdens and
costs. This reform will facilitate faster approvals, improve communication
among stakeholders, and make BC’s forest sector more attractive to
investors.
- Enhancing
Biodiversity:
Conservation is a core value for the Conservative Party of British
Columbia, who plan to define specific areas dedicated to biodiversity
where forestry activities will be secondary. This approach will maintain
the ecological integrity of BC’s forests while allowing selective,
responsible harvesting that aligns with conservation goals. The party will
also prioritize the use of selective logging and other sustainable
practices to support forest health and wildlife habitats.
- Wildfire
Management:
Wildfires pose a significant threat to BC’s forests, communities, and
economy. The Conservative Party of British Columbia will reintroduce
controlled burns and other preventative measures to reduce wildfire risks.
By focusing on selective logging, fuel load management, and diversifying
tree species, the party aims to create healthier forest landscapes that
are more resistant to catastrophic fires. Investment in new technologies
and local community training will also strengthen BC’s wildfire response capabilities.
- Labour
and Contractor Support: The Conservative Party of British Columbia is committed to
supporting forestry workers and contractors through the sector’s revival.
Short-term measures, including emergency supports and training programs,
will help workers remain in the industry during challenging times. As the
sector rebounds, the government will invest in workforce development,
creating expanded opportunities and ensuring the next generation of
British Columbians can build careers in the forestry sector.
- Competitiveness: BC is currently the
highest-cost jurisdiction for forestry in North America, driving jobs
away. The BC Conservatives will conduct a comprehensive review of all
factors contributing to these high costs, including regulatory burdens and
unnecessary red tape. By making the sector more competitive, the party
aims to ensure that BC’s forestry industry can ship products—not
jobs—across Canada and beyond.
- Valuing
All Fibre: The
Conservative Party of British Columbia will shift from a sawlog-focused
annual allowable cut (AAC) to a broader fibre AAC, recognizing the value
of all tree products, including those used for pellets and power
generation. This change will reduce waste and enhance the sector’s
sustainability by utilizing every part of harvested trees, creating new
revenue streams and maximizing economic returns from BC’s forests.
- Landscape
Management: To
better manage forest health and reduce wildfire risks, the BC
Conservatives will update BC’s landscape management practices. These
enhancements will focus on restoring fire-damaged areas, increasing the
use of diverse species to improve resilience, and stopping harmful
practices like aerial glyphosate spraying. The goal is to restore BC’s
forests to a natural, healthy state, benefitting both the environment and
the communities that depend on them.
“David Eby and the BC NDP have gutted our forestry sector, leaving communities and workers behind,” Rustad concluded. “The Conservative Party of British Columbia has a clear plan to restore our forests, support our workers, and ensure a sustainable future for BC’s forestry industry.”
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