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Showing posts with the label forestry workers

BC forestry sector warns of “breaking point” as new U.S. tariffs take effect (CITY News)

BC’s forestry sector is bracing for what it’s calling a “breaking point”. The stark warning comes as U.S. President Donald Trump’s new 10 per cent tariff on Canadian softwood lumber officially takes effect, pushing total duties to more than 45 per cent. On Tuesday, Premier David Eby stood alongside industry and union leaders to denounce Trump’s latest blow, calling it an “existential threat” to mills in every corner of the province ... CLICK HERE for the full story

As we enter 2020, the BC NDP have yet to roll out any plans to ensure BC forestry workers get back to work

Early this morning (January 17th) Trevor Bolin, leader of the BC Conservatives, sent a message to all members of the party --- here is the text of that message: My fellow British Columbians, As we embark on a New Year for BC families, it’s the start of a new decade, and many new firsts... but for the BC NDP and BC Liberals we have seen it all before. British Columbia’s oldest resource sector, forestry, was put on life support in 2019 from the mistakes of both the current government and the previous government. As we enter 2020, the BC NDP have yet to roll out any plans to ensure BC forestry workers get back to work, and that our industry is financially and environmentally sustainable for generations to come. After today’s court ruling in favour of the Trans Mountain Pipeline, let’s hope Premier (John) Horgan and the NDP are done wasting our money fighting Alberta and the very industry keeping us warm and safe. The BC Liber...

Forestry job placement co-ordination offices open, however forestry critic John Rustad says governments done nothing to address the core problem of bringing down costs and helping get the industry back on its feet

The forest industry was in crisis throughout most of 2019 and will continue to get worse ~~ John Rustad According to a BC government media release yesterday, displaced (doesn’t that sound so clinical?) forestry workers are now able to access direct, hands-on supports at job placement co-ordination offices five forestry reliant communities in interior and northern BC. These dedicated offices are in 100 Mile House, Fort St. James, Fort St. John, Mackenzie and Clearwater, and each of the offices is staffed with a co-ordination officer who is a displaced forestry worker. According to the Labour Ministry, these co-ordinators will be able to understand what individuals, who are seeking assistance in finding new jobs or training opportunities, are experiencing. I asked BC Liberal Forestry critic John Rustad about his thoughts on this, and he was quick in stating that while he was happy to see this type of help, for struggling forestry workers, he wondered w...

RUSTAD -- by 2025 rural forestry communities in British Columbia could have tumbleweeds rolling down the main street

More forestry curtailments and extensions ... Coastal production going down ... Interior production taking a serious hit and all the while NO response from government ... The real challenge is that the problem is growing, and a turnaround is not in sight yet. I've been trying to figure out just why John Horgan's NDP government won't step up to help the forest sector, workers and communities. I can only come up with three reasons, but I don't know which is right: 1) Simple incompetence ... they don't realize the difficulties, and they also don't realize that this isn't a short-term problem. One company I spoke with thinks that 2020 could be a write off, and are hoping for a turnaround in 2021. One analyst I've read is suggesting there won't be a significant improvement in USA housing starts until 2025. 2) Don't extend help, and blame the former government in a perverted attempt to gain support for the next election....

‘The time has come for the blaming to end, and a plan be put into motion. Let’s get the right people at the table, and together as a province turn this around’, Trevor Bolin

In a recent missive to NDP Premier two days ago, BC Conservative Party leader Trevor Bolin stated what seems to be obvious to all but the sitting NDP MLA’s, and Premier John Horgan who seem to have missed the message from all British Columbians alike. “ We are currently witnessing the devastating effects of the downturn in our forest industry across the entire province ”. “ Families are losing jobs, communities are losing industry and taxes, and British Columbia is losing one of its oldest tax bases ”, he stated. When I asked about other impacts on communities such as the inevitable marital problems that occur under financial stressors, and problems with families having enough to eat, he was open in his concerns. “ I have seen first hand how the affects this dramatic downturn are impacting and affecting families ”, Bolin stated. “ People I’ve talked to across the province are telling me they are facing huge struggles just to meet their b...