The forestry sector’s challenges and future were a highlight during the final day of the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George.
One of the more prominent challenges the industry has faced are closures, including some in the north, such as the Canfor Plateau Mill in both Vanderhoof and Fort St John in 2024.
Wood Council Chair Jeff Bromley talked about what needs to happen to overcome those challenges.
“We have to balance the manufacturing capacity to what the decision is going to be in terms of the amount of harvestable timber that’s going to come out of this province.”
“If we don’t figure out this balance, it’s going to be a self-fulfilling prophecy that the industry’s going to go past crisis stage and into fail, if it’s not on the precipice already.”
Another issue Bromley noted was the need to attract more young people to the industry who are able to stay long term.
He said to accomplish that, the industry landscape needs to be in a better position than what it is now.
The BC Natural Resources Forum wraps up today (Thursday) at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre.
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