Whereas hundreds of jobs have been lost in the forest industry in BC in 2024 and hundreds more are at risk due to the increasing cost of accessing fibre and multiple other reasons; And whereas the forest industry crisis has the potential for population declines as well as declines in industrial property tax revenues many communities throughout British Columbia: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial government to partner financially in localized efforts to ascertain the fibre type and volume available on a sustainable basis, to secure investment in appropriate technologies to maximize the value of that fibre, and to retrain forest industry workers to utilize that approach.
Ministry of Forests The Province recognizes the significant challenges facing British Columbias forest sector, including the impacts of fibre availability and access costs on jobs and community stability. The Ministry of Forests continues to work collaboratively with First Nations, industry, local governments, and other provincial partners to better understand the current industry challenges. The Province supports value-added wood manufacturing and improved fibre utilization through a range of initiatives. In recent years, the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund has provided support to forest-sector capital and planning projects that help manufacturers modernize operations, adopt new technologies, diversify products, and utilize a broader range of fibre inputs. These investments have supported job creation and retention while improving competitiveness in the face of market conditions and international trade pressures. The Province continues to analyze the effectiveness of past efforts to inform future options to ensure support remains responsive to evolving industry needs. In addition, the Forest Enhancement Society of British Columbia continues to provide funding support through its 202527 fibre utilization programs, which focus on increasing the recovery and use of low-value or residual fibre from Crown land and supporting operational activity in forest-based communities. The Province also continues to assess policy, market, and operational levers that influence fibre access and utilization, and to engage with partners to support local employment, innovation, and sustainable forest-sector outcomes.