Kim Haakstad

We are spending a lot of time talking about major projects these days. …But somewhere along the way, we seem to have decided that they are the only answer to our economic ­challenges. There’s a catch with that approach: For most major ­projects, the biggest boost ­happens during construction. …We can build major ­projects while strengthening the ­industries that already provide jobs, investment and economic activity in communities across British Columbia. Forestry is one of those industries. Forestry literally and figuratively built British Columbia. …Unlike a construction project, forestry’s economic contribution doesn’t end when the assembly is complete. Forestry supports jobs on Vancouver Island, in the North, the Central Interior, the ­Southern Interior and throughout the Lower Mainland… It offers established networks, skilled workers and global customers ready to generate revenue right now. Yet instead of leveraging this advantage, we seem to have accepted managing the ­industry’s decline. …British Columbia needs major projects. We should pursue them with ambition. And we must bring that same ambition and urgency to forestry.