As leaders gather this week at the 2025 Union of BC Municipalities’ convention to chart the future of British Columbia, forestry must be central to those discussions. Forestry touches communities of every size in every part of BC It is not just an industry — it is part of BC’s fabric. And at a time of pressing challenges, forestry offers solutions: for rural, urban and Indigenous communities, it can and should be a unifying force. …Yet the sector faces headwinds. US softwood lumber duties exceed 35%, global markets remain volatile and further tariff increases loom. These forces are beyond our control, but they make action at home urgent. In challenging times, we need to focus on solutions that make us stronger together — solutions that are about “and”, not “or.”

Recent polling shows 87% of British Columbians agree that effectively developing natural resources is key to future growth. That means economy and environment. Reconciliation and jobs. …Premier David Eby has recognized this by naming forestry as a major project known as the “path to 45 million cubic metres.” BC’s allowable annual cut is around 60 million cubic metres. We’re harvesting barely half of that, and many mills are down to one shift. That means lost jobs, lost opportunities and declining community stability. The good news is: forestry doesn’t need years of permitting. We already have the people, the infrastructure and the supply chain in place. We can unleash forestry now, while new mines, LNG facilities and clean energy projects work their way through the approval process. Closing that gap matters — not just for companies, but for communities across BC. If we can reach the 45 million target harvest, government tax revenues would increase over $500 million per year from stumpage and non-stumpage revenues.