David Eby
Premier David Eby began his address to the Natural Resources Forum in Prince George Tuesday night describing the “hardest challenge and where I think we have the most work ahead”: the province’s beleaguered forestry sector. Eby said he’s still trying to bring about stability to an industry rocked by American softwood lumber tariffs, admitting “there are no quick fixes” to the dozens of mill closures, curtailments and layoffs occurring under his government. …“It always feels too slow for the urgency of the threat. But predictable land access, permit reform, value-added investments and new trading relationships will deliver a better forestry future.” …If he’d gone to the Truck Loggers Association convention, he would have once again been reminded from those working in forestry that it is the NDP government’s own policies on old growth, climate, reconciliation and permitting that have created the crisis the industry faces, with American tariffs just adding to the damage.
Related coverage:
- Wolfgang Depner in Business in Vancouver: Premier Eby says new markets, reforms will help forestry, but results will take time
- Matthew Hillier in Prince George Citizen: Eby sees more international trade as a way forward for BC forestry