Forestry crisis hits BC

Forestry in Canada increasingly struggles with viability but "a reduction in stumpage rates would be seen as an illegal subsidy and lead to a new trade battle."

Unfortunately, initial response from gov't on many of these aid requests is the same, "there's nothing we can do or the border dispute will be put in jeopardy". I agree with part of that statement, but I am not hearing what the government is doing with things that "can" help industry. Several regulation changes recently & more scheduled, continue to add red tape & cost to the forestry sector, with very little mention to aid fibre access through land use agreements that could improve forest health. I viewed several areas devastated by forest fires & I'm disappointed that we haven't improved things like thinning, rather we let old growth timber die and fall to the ground only to generate accumulation where forest fires simply cannot be stopped. I hope for a future where government talks about what "can" be done to move us forward rather than hiding behind the things that can't be done. I wish for more people to understand that natural resources fuel big business, which fuels small business, which all fuel jobs & revenue for our country. If we simply cut out our resources rather than finding ways to improve methods & world competitiveness, we will cut out entire communities. Please be part of a solution, not the problem.

This high tax, high stumpage regime of the NDP is taking it's toll on BC's forest industry - you don't see mills in Alberta shutting down. It's also interesting that Minister Donaldson waited until mills in the lower mainland were closing before he took any action at all. BC deserves better. #jobloss #forestry #financeandeconomy #tax