Climate Change & the Environment  /  Jobs, Businesses, & Labour

Forestry industry platforms

Here's what the 2024 BC election parties are promising.

BC NDP

  • Create a new Forest Value Fund to fast-track wood-manufacturing facilities and mill re-tooling for processing second-growth timber

    "A new Forest Value Fund will fast-track wood-manufacturing facilities coming online and the re-tooling of mills to process second growth timber rather than old growth as we continue to move to a value-added future for forestry." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

  • Further restrict raw log exports

    "Getting more jobs per tree by tying our working forest resources to mills and companies that employ British Columbians, and by putting further restrictions on raw log exports." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

  • Work towards a harvest of 45 million cubic metres per year

    "Increasing fibre security for primary, secondary users and value-added manufacturers by working towards a harvest of 45 million cubic metres per year." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

  • Fully review BC Timber Sales

    "Completing a full review of BC Timber Sales to improve the process for accessing public timber and drive better outcomes for jobs in forestry dependent communities." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

  • Review the stumpage system, and work toward First Nation agreements so that industry only pays once for stumpage

    "Reviewing the stumpage system in light of punishing tariffs and recent trade decisions from the US that have held our industry back, in order to identify reforms that support the industry." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

    "Working toward First Nation agreements that make sure industry only pays once for stumpage — benefiting rural, remote and First Nation communities." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

  • Expand the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund to support the primary sector

    "Expanding the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund to provide support to the primary sector to allow them to invest in innovation that supports local jobs – helping end the boom-and-bust economy that hurts communities, contractors, businesses, workers and their families." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

  • Double the land held in BC's new and existing community forests

    "Securing a more sustainable future for First Nations and communities that depend on local forests for their economic strength by doubling the land held in BC’s new and existing community forests." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

  • Create new Forest Landscape Planning Tables to bring together industry, First Nations, and communities

    "Bringing together industry, First Nations and communities to work together — through new Forest Landscape Planning Tables — to chart a path forward for the stewardship of BC forests that increases sustainable harvest levels, drives improved old-growth management, and respects local knowledge and community priorities." — An Action Plan for You, retrieved 2024-10-07

BC Conservatives

  • Define an area dedicated to the harvest of primary forest products
    1. "Define the land area that will be prioritized for the harvest of primary forest products.

    A healthy forest sector needs stability and predictability. This is achieved by defining an area dedicated to providing primary forest products."

    conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

  • Replace stumpage with a value-added end product tax
    1. "Replace stumpage with a value-added end product tax.

    A value-added tax system will be instantaneously responsive to current market conditions, and it will encourage industry to get more value and jobs out of each log. Input credits will be created for higher-value products and better utilization of fibre: meaning the more a producer can do with the fibre, the more credits that will be created."

    conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

  • Provide a single-permit process for projects
    1. "Implement a “One Project, One Permit” process.

    “One Project, One Permit” will significantly reduce costs to all parties (i.e. government, First Nations, and companies) and make it viable to invest in BC forestry again."

    conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

  • Do a core review of the forest sector's cost structure

    "The core review will identify all unnecessary costs and red tape which have resulted in BC shipping forestry jobs to other provinces and the US. We will make sure the industry is competitive enough to ship products again, not jobs." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

  • Support using wood fibre for power generation

    "Encouraging the use of wood fibre in power generation and other secondary applications will create new revenue streams for the industry and government, protecting jobs and realizing the highest possible value per log." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

  • Change the annual allowable cut from counting sawlogs to counting fibre
    1. "Change the annual allowable cut from a sawlog AAC to a fibre AAC.

    Tree waste from harvesting is often left behind in the forests to be piled and burned. While there is a need to leave woody debris behind to help with habitat values, BC should account for this fibre and value it." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

  • Focus harvesting on areas damaged by wildfires or other issues

    "Focus harvesting on areas damaged by wildfires or forest health issues. By responding quickly, we can better-utilize the damaged fibre while doing the necessary work of rehabilitation and accelerated reforestation." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

  • Return 20% of BC's forests to First Nations

    "Return 20% of BC’s forests to First Nations, enabling Indigenous groups to manage these resources sustainably and in line with their traditions and values." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2024-10-08

  • Invest in workforce training for the forest sector

BC Greens

  • Zone BC's forests into three broad categories: Primary forests, restoration in secondary forests, and second-growth forests for timber

    "Zone BC’s forests into three broad categories:

    1. Primary forests

    2. Restoration in secondary forests

    3. Second-growth forests managed for timber production"

    BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Reduce the Annual Allowable Cut to ecologically and economically sustainable levels
  • Stop clearcut industrial logging and adopt different logging practices

    "Stop clearcut industrial logging and adopt logging practices that emulate natural disturbance regimes, such as selective logging, commercial thinning, and longer stand rotations."

    BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Defer harvesting in the most at-risk old growth forests

    "Defer harvesting in the most at-risk old growth forests, as outlined by the Old Growth Technical Advisory Panel." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Improve Ministry of Forests transparency

    "Direct Ministry of Forests staff to improve transparency in government announcements, reporting, and monitoring. Make information about forests and logging accessible and current— including updated maps and data." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Ban pellet mills from converting trees logged in primary or old-growth forests into wood pellets

    "Strictly prohibit pellet mills from converting trees logged in primary or old growth forests into wood pellets. Define ‘waste’ for pellet mills to ensure ecosystem health is protected." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Increase the number of community forests, and remove the requirement for community forests to maintain the Annual Allowable Cut

    "Expand the community forest program by increasing the number and size of community forests to promote wildfire protection, rural development, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous relationships. Remove the requirement for community forests to maintain the Annual Allowable Cut." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Maximise value-added production from available timber supply

    "Ensure maximization of value-added production from available timber supply, prioritizing small value-added producers. Aim to allocate 30%- 50% of current available volume for value-added production as a short-term goal." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Review the tenure and appraisal system to encourage best practices and partial cutting

    "Review the tenure and appraisal system to encourage best practices and partial cutting in forestry." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Begin a process of tenure reform to redistribute tenures from large corporations

    "Begin a process of tenure reform to redistribute tenures from large corporations. Increase the proportion of tenures held by First Nations and community forests." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Ensure revenues flow directly to local communities

    "Ensure resource revenue benefits flow directly to local communities by sharing more revenues with First Nations, municipalities, and regional districts." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

  • Fund training and upskilling programmes to support workers finding new job opportunities
  • End raw log exports and disallow the export of rough sawn wood without penalty

    "End raw log exports and close regulatory loopholes that allow the export of rough sawn wood without penalty." — BC Greens 2024 Platform, retrieved 2024-10-09

Looking for the parties' positions on other topics?

See our full 2024 BC election platform comparison
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