Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

FORSETH -- Despite Premier Eby’s promises, BC’s forest industry continues its downward spiral

While BC Forest Minister Ravi Parmar boasts about the government planting 231 million tree seedlings in 2025 ... here's some facts people might be interested in.

During the 2024 provincial election, the BC NDP promised there would be 300 million seedlings planted every year.  

... the BC NDP promised to plant 300 million trees annually across the province to “help increase forest resilience.”

How has that worked out, you might be asking?

Two years ago there were 280 million seedlings planted (BC government news – 12/23/2024) -- last year just 231 million seedlings were planted. 

That’s 49 million fewer than in 2024 – and 70 million fewer than the promised 300 million.

An yet it seems BC NDP Forest Minister Ravi Parmar feels this is something to be proud of, as noted in an “X” (formerly Twitter) post he made on December 30th when he said:

"In 2025 alone, 231 million tree seedlings were planted in BC ... ensuring the land base stays strong for generations” ~~ BC Forest Minister Ravi Parmar

That's NOTHING to be proud of!

For several years now BC forests have been ravaged by wildfires, and yet despite promises made by Premier David Eby’s government, the future of forestry in British Columbia continues its downward spiral, as pointed out by the publication Business in Vancouver on August 13th of last year:

“Tree planting in BC is set to decline for a third straight year, falling short of government promises as wildfires destroy forests & timber harvests decrease.”

 

Without the necessary seedlings being planted, the question has to be asked; “What will be left for loggers to cut in another 20 to 30 years?”

 

To further compound the situation, BC’s Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) continues to decline.

In 2015 the AAC was just under 70 million cubic metres, which supported over sixty-five thousand direct forest jobs. By 2023 the AAC had dropped to just 39 million cubic metres – a loss of 45 percent.

Statistics Canada shows the result was a disaster for the province. 

During that same time (2015 to 2023) the provinces forest industry labour force was reduced by thirty-three percent ... and since then it has only gotten worse. BC’s Labour Force Survey shows the forest sector accounted for under forty-three thousand (42,800) jobs in 2024.

 


The BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) raised the alarm back in March of last year saying that ... Budget 2025 doesn’t plan to meet the government’s commitment to harvest 45 million cubic metres, as outlined in the government’s election platform and Forest Minister’s Mandate Letter. Despite this commitment to increase the harvest, Budget 2025 projects a decline each year to 29 million in 2027/28, well below the Allowable Annual Cut of 60 million cubic metres.

Forests not being replanted to levels required, and a dropping of the annual allowable cut, can ONLY have one completely predictable result ... 

 

... the inevitable death of BC’s once proud forest industry.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PECKFORD -- Authoritarian governments in our own time, from the Nazi period to the USSR, have crippled democracy and freedom and yet we have not learned

Just come right out and say it ... it’s China ... and it’s communist. So there ... I said it! And its a virus, the corona virus, that came from China — the China Virus. Oh, yah it has a fancy name —but this keeps it simple and identifies its origin. Imagine that!!! Of course, now that Trump has said it, he, being a virus to most China sensitive people (and that’ s just about everyone) none will say it now —- And the political correctness and hypocrisy of it all. The World Health Organization changed all that a few years ago and like sheep we all followed along. No more geographic naming —that’s an order —-George Orwell is turning over in his grave. Of course, this WHO is part of the UN that has a Human Rights Council full of human rights violators whose sole purpose in life is to bring resolutions against the only democracy in the Middle East. Nice civilized crowd don’t you think?? We all put up with this charade every day and conti...
Post a Comment
Read more

Okanagan Farmers Face NDP-Created Water Crisis ~~ BC Conservatives

Okanagan farmers are facing a water crisis as government-imposed restrictions threaten to kill their crops and destroy one of B.C.’s most important agricultural industries. In perhaps the most water-rich province in the country, our farmers have been left high and dry by the NDP government. For nine weeks, Okanagan and Shuswap farmers have proposed solutions, only to be met with NDP foot-dragging. Now forest fires have come to these regions as they are simultaneously reckoning with a water crisis that has been made worse through years of government inaction. Vernon-area farms have lost 70 percent of their water, while Kelowna and Summerland growers face severe restrictions. This situation is unacceptable and cannot continue. Ian Paton, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, said the NDP is once again forcing farmers to pay for its own failure to plan. "Farmers and ranchers must be listened to when decisions affecting their livelihoods are made, and under the NDP, they aren’t," said...
Post a Comment
Read more

Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper to step down for Conservative Leader Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay to run in a by-election

Deputy Whip and MLA Reann Gasper has informed the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia of her decision to step down as MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, creating an opportunity for Conservative Party of British Columbia Leader Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay to seek the seat in a forthcoming by-election. Gasper said the decision was made carefully and deliberately, with the future of British Columbia firmly in mind. Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper “This is a decision I have made after a great deal of careful consideration, and I believe it is the right decision for me, for our Party, and for the work ahead,” said MLA Gasper. “It has been a privilege to represent the people of Abbotsford-Mission, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me. I am also grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside my colleagues in the Conservative Caucus and to contribute to our leadership team.” “I have confidence in Kerry-Lynne, in her leadership, and in her ability to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more