At the Truck Loggers Association (TLA) Conference, an open discussion titled “Perspectives on BC’s Forestry Sector” featured John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, moderated by Vaughn Palmer. 

Rustad began by acknowledging the significant challenges facing the forestry sector, including high production costs, complex permitting processes, and increasing stumpage fees. He noted that these issues have rendered BC one of the highest-cost jurisdictions in North America for forestry operations. “We have to rethink how we manage stumpage and drive down costs if we want the sector to thrive,” he emphasized. Rustad proposed shifting from the current stumpage system to a fibre-based approach, tying taxation to final products—such as pulp, biofuels, and furniture—rather than upfront costs. This approach, he explained, would align incentives with value-added production, encouraging greater utilization of all fibre harvested.

He also criticized the bureaucratic layers involved in permitting, which can delay projects for years. “In Alberta, permits are issued within weeks, while in BC, it takes years. This system is broken,” Rustad said, calling for streamlined processes to improve efficiency. He highlighted missed opportunities such as the salvage logging of wildfire-damaged timber, which is often left to rot due to excessive delays.

Rustad advocated for creating hubs around mill sites, where multiple value-added processes—such as biofuels, pellets, and furniture production—could coexist, maximizing fibre utilization. He also stressed the need to address productivity gaps, noting that Canadian companies invest far less per worker in innovation and infrastructure compared to their American and European counterparts. “The government’s role should be to create an environment where businesses can thrive and innovate, not over-regulate,” Rustad said. He pointed to Sweden as an example of a country that has successfully optimized fibre utilization and innovation in forestry.

Rustad emphasized the critical importance of First Nations economic reconciliation as a foundational element of BC’s forestry future. He advocated for returning land to First Nations, not just as the right thing to do but as an opportunity to foster strong partnerships that drive economic development and inclusion. Rustad underscored the need to address land title issues and create capacity-building programs to enable First Nations to take a leadership role in managing resources sustainably. He pointed to existing partnerships as proof that collaborative approaches can generate both economic prosperity and environmental stewardship. By integrating First Nations into the forestry sector, Rustad argued, BC could unlock untapped potential while ensuring long-term sustainability and respect for Indigenous rights.

Toward the end of his discussion, Rustad underscored the need for governments to adopt long-term strategies that go beyond short electoral cycles. He also pointed to the untapped potential of BC’s northwest, advocating for investments to revitalize the region’s forestry with shorter rotations and healthier species.

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