MERRITT, BC — Aspen Planers forced to temporarily cease operations due to the forestry crisis. Due to what AP Group executive VP Bruce Rose calls “market realities,” Aspen Planers has ceased operations since April 25. Prior to the closure, Aspen ran on a “only a single shift daily basis for much of 2023 and 2024,” says Rose. “The whole forest industry in BC is collapsing and it’s just in a terrible state,” said Rose.” “The frustrating part is that there doesn’t seem to be any sense of urgency or any support from the B.C. government to address any of these challenges,” said Rose.” …According to Rose, the core problem “is that British Columbia is now the highest cost forest products manufacturing in North America.” …Rose looks at Alberta where stumpage, the cost companies or individuals pay provincial governments when harvesting trees off crown land, is much cheaper. The closure of Aspen Planers has affected approximately 100 employees.