Kim Haakstad

Kim Haakstad, CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI)… is deeply concerned by the lack of active, front-line industry representation on the newly announced Provincial Forest Advisory Council. To align ecological, economic, and social outcomes, those who manage the realities of the sector every day must have a seat at the table—not just be invited to comment from the sidelines. Also troubling is the council’s vague scope and mandate—especially given the many significant forestry reviews… still being implemented. …Introducing yet another process, while those on the ground are still adapting to new frameworks… does little to support either ecological outcomes or the stable, predictable flow of forest resources BC urgently needs. …Most forestry jobs and investment come from primary operations—sawmills, pulp mills, contractors, and tenure holders—yet these voices are missing from this council, the BCTS Review Task Force, and the Softwood Lumber Advisory Council. This pattern of exclusion is concerning.