Whereas the economic landscape of forestry communities is constantly evolving, requiring proactive measures to ensure their continued growth and prosperity; And whereas it is imperative to invest in the people and opportunities of the future to foster resilience and sustainability in these communities; And whereas discussions with provincial counterparts in Victoria have highlighted the importance of addressing the challenges faced by forestry communities, including the need for transitioning local economies towards sustainability; And whereas the Ministry of Forests has recognized the potential of a decentralized model to revitalize forestry communities, leveraging their expertise and resources to become hubs of value-added products and services: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM urge the provincial government to provide additional economic assistance and support to forestry communities to facilitate the transition towards a diversified and sustainable economy.
Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation JEDI works with rural and Indigenous communities to support economic development. The ministry has specialized staff on-the-ground throughout BC to provide free and accessible economic development services to local governments, Indigenous communities, businesses and economic development agencies. Ministry staff are available to provide expertise and facilitate resources for advancing economic diversification initiatives. The ministry delivers the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program REDIP, which has offered grant funding to support economic capacity, diversification, and infrastructure projects in rural BC for the last three years FY202223 to FY202425. REDIP is expected to open an intake later this year. The ministry also provides Community Transition CT services for workers and communities after a community transition event, such as a mill closure. Ministry staff, with support from other areas of government, offer responsive services when an area is experiencing economic disruption, such as the loss of a major employer. CT services are effective in supporting workers, businesses, and communities experiencing significant job loss, especially when combined with other government programs designed to offset economic impacts. Support for impacted workers and families is the priority during a community transition event. Once immediate needs are addressed, ministry staff work with the community on economic planning and diversification to aid in building resilience and prevent future downturns. Ministry of Forests The Forest Sector Transformation team within the Ministry of Forests FOR collaborates with the ministries overseeing Community Transition programs to support affected workers. The team also engages with external stakeholders to provide coordinated, comprehensive support for workers, communities, First Nations, and businesses impacted by changes in the forest sector. To help strengthen the sector, FOR has established the Value-Added Sector Strategies Branch, which supports secondary wood manufacturing across British Columbia. This branch works closely with industry representativesfrom traditional producers of windows and siding to innovators in mass timber and emerging wood productsto identify ways the province can enhance competitiveness. Regional Value-Added Specialists, are located in each region of the province and provide direct support to businesses, Indigenous communities, local governments, and economic development agencies, helping to sustain and grow value-added opportunities.