The complex issue of forestry is not one that can be solved overnight.
According to the B.C. Council of Forest Industries (COFI) the forest industry supports over 140,000 jobs in B.C. That’s approximately $4 billion annually in government revenues.
Partnerships with First Nations have grown and now Indigenous peoples hold 1 in every 11 forestry jobs. COFI believes moving forward that collaboration with workers, contractors, communities, First Nations, academic institutions, and all those involved in the sector will be pivotal to building the industry of the future.
Some of the key areas that COFI is looking into creating policies for include, investing and protecting our forest land base, having smart rules that protect the environment and encourage investment and strengthening participation of Indigenous people and partnerships with communities. They are also looking to double down on market and product diversification using all parts of the log and its fibres to create new materials. COFI also wants to be a global hub for expertise in low-carbon green building.
“Over many years, we have built a forest industry we can all be proud of, an industry that is recognized around the world for its quality products produced to the highest safety and environmental standards. We have faced challenges before, but our industry, workers and communities have proved to be resilient over the years and we can be again,” said Ray Ferris, President and CEO, West Fraser.
For COFI and the Forestry industry this is the beginning as they will begin to collaborate with other parties and begin creating ideas and policies.
