Ward Stamer

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Ward Stamer says B.C.’s forestry industry is in crisis due to over-regulation and a “lack of respect for the people who actually work in our forests.” Speaking in the B.C. Legislature Oct. 6, BC Conservative MLA, Stamer put the blame for closed sawmills in McKenzie, Chetwynd and Houston on “failed government policy” that led to not enough timber being available to harvest. …B.C.-based forestry giant Canfor announced last year it was abandoning its plans to replace its closed sawmill in Houston. “The ability to reliably access enough economic timber to run our manufacturing facilities is critical for our business,” Canfor president and CEO Don Kayne said at the time. Kane attributed a declining harvest level partly to “natural disturbances,” but also to “the cumulative impact of policy changes and increased regulatory complexity.” …”With courage, accountability, and respect for rural British Columbians we can turn this crisis around,” said Stamer.