Statement from Scott Lunny, United Steelworkers Western Canada Director, on new Forestry Support Bureau announced by B.C. Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar: At the recent meeting of United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1-2017, B.C.’s Minister of Forests, Ravi Parmar, spoke about acting on a proposal that has been pushed for over two decades by the USW, our Wood Council and our local unions: a government office or commission to help protect jobs and sustain manufacturing operations in the face of trade, financial and other challenges. In the early 2000s, the Office of the Job Protection Commissioner was shut down by the B.C. Liberals. For years we have been trying to restore such an agency so that we have the means and mechanisms to fight to keep mills open and members working. …this is a strong step forward in protecting USW members and British Columbians who rely on the forest sector for their livelihoods.