Letter to BC Government asks them to be “Champions of Forestry”

Forestry businesses are writing to the provincial government and opposition to “champion” better practices to protect the industry.

Forestry Works of BC, a collection of businesses, details different ways the government could implement greener practices within the industry. It asks them to take “specific and divisive action” to support and grow the sector.

“The feeling in the industry right now, it’s financially and economically as bad as it’s ever been,” said Steve Kozuki, Executive Director of Forestry Works BC.

“We’ve been under trade tariffs for quite some time, and the feeling is it would be nice to have our leaders in the province stand up for forestry.”

Kozuki detailed several “key programs” the province could make a pivot within the industry and other resource sectors. Using lumbered and engineered wood that is eco-friendly for construction materials that would store and cleanse carbon dioxide.

Another suggestion is to promote the use of wood biomass and leftover wood waste which Kozuki says gets “underutilized” to make more sustainable sources of energy, such as heating and electricity. Reducing the use of fossil fuels and B.C.’s environmental footprint.

“We’ve seen in the past governments promoting wood first programs. It would contribute to our energy security. We’d like to see the leaders in the province recognize a lot of those benefits that forestry brings environmentally.”

Forestry Works of BC said in their letter using leftover wood biomass would also help the forests regrow naturally, and help reduce the risks of wildfires spreading uncontrollably.

The final suggestion is to implement “legislatively protected working forests,” designating areas to be harvested and regrown in a “sustainable manner.” Kozuki suggests that these forests be protected and run similarly to provincial parks.

“It would lead to certainty for businesses, for workers and families, and communities across the province. Communities that are quite frankly at risk.”

– with files from Teryn Midzain, My Cariboo Now staff