Bob Brash

Between the long-simmering softwood lumber dispute and Donald Trump’s renewed tariffs, the hardships facing BC’s forest sector have rarely been greater. Keeping people working and facilities operating challenges even the best of us in this industry.

After the recent federal-provincial Forest Summit, some credit is due to both levels of government for at least attempting to provide relief—along with what we hope is a genuine effort to diversify our markets and products. However, much more collaboration and concrete commitment are needed before we can judge these efforts effective. Many suspect the current plans may offer only limited short-term benefit.

(On a side note—my bias is clear—once again there appears to be little tangible support for BC’s loggers. I hope that changes, but I digress.)

The challenges now confronting BC’s forest sector have been building for years, largely driven by a tidal wave—in every negative sense—of legislation, regulation, and policy imposed since 2017. Many in the sector have consistently warned government about the cumulative consequences of its actions. There’s little satisfaction in saying, “we told you so.”

Why has this regulatory tsunami caused such damage? Rules have become overly complex and cumbersome; the authority of hard-working on-the-ground decision-makers to make balanced decision carries too much personal risk; legislation is confusing, overlapping, and sometimes contradictory; ministerial mandates conflict; and too often policy is driven by ideology rather than science or common sense. These are only a few examples.

All of this has combined to drive up costs and erode global competitiveness. Our financial resilience—and therefore our ability to even more assertively innovate, attract investment, and modernize our facilities—has been severely weakened. The result: we are less able to meet society’s changing expectations while sustaining a viable industry.

How has government responded? By blaming Trump for our woes—criticism he may deserve—but largely ignoring its own role in undermining the prosperity of BC’s forest sector.

A familiar analogy comes to mind: a strong structure requires a solid foundation. For our industry, that foundation is the regulatory environment we operate within—and it’s failing. Yet there appears to be no movement or willingness in Victoria to change even a single line of legislation or policy choking our sector that would improve conditions. Simply reallocating or amending forest tenure doesn’t count; that’s just moving the deck chairs. In short, government is expecting different results while changing nothing—and we all know what that defines.

Those gaining new tenure through these shifts should be equally concerned. Without real change, those opportunities will soon be underwater, turning assets into liabilities. The harsh realities of costs versus revenues make no distinction between entities.

So, what must government do? First, acknowledge its role in the problem and stop the reflex to blame others. Second, work with the entire sector to build a shared vision—and ensure the legislative framework supports that vision. If survival of this sector truly matters, that means more than tinkering, social-media posts, or photo-ops. And third, pause any new forest legislation. Hard as it is to believe, even more complex rules are on the horizon.

Real leadership begins with accepting the situation as it is and moving decisively toward practical, shared solutions. Unfortunately, there’s little sign of that happening.

Over my career, I’ve seen this sector innovate repeatedly to sustain BC’s prosperity. We’ve done it before—and we can do it again. But not with both hands tied behind our back while standing on a grumbling foundation.

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Bob Brash is a consultant with an accomplished and varied career as a senior executive in the private, public, and First Nations sectors of BC’s forest and resource industry. He held technical and management roles with the Ministry of Forest and Lands, followed by 13 years as vice-president and president with the Husby Group of Companies, and eight years as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer with Haida Enterprise Corporation. Bob recently retired after leading the Truck Loggers Association for five years. He is a registered professional forester, with an MBA from Queen’s University.