The 2025 COFI Convention kicked off at the Prince George Civic Centre with an official welcome that set the stage for the two-day event. Greg Stewart, President of Sinclar Group Forest Products and Chair of the COFI Board of Directors, welcomed attendees to the conference, emphasizing the significance of the gathering and expressing gratitude to sponsors, including CN and the Port of Vancouver. Stewart also took a moment to acknowledge the unceded ancestral lands of the Klaytli Tenei Nation, recognizing the importance of this territorial connection.
Chief Dolleen Logan of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation provided an Indigenous welcome, sharing her pride in the relationship between her people and the forestry industry. In her remarks, she reflected on the challenges facing the sector and the critical need for collaboration. “Despite the growing challenges of the forestry sector, I’m encouraged to see so many familiar and new faces attending this week to learn about shared pathways,” she said. Chief Logan also spoke candidly about the importance of partnerships in the forest sector, noting that such relationships are essential not only for progress but for long-term sustainability. “Our partnerships have led our nations forward, and that’s important for any industry,” she remarked.
Mayor Simon Yu of Prince George followed with a heartfelt address, acknowledging the region’s dependence on the forestry industry and emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to ensure its competitiveness. He called for greater collaboration among industry stakeholders, local governments, and First Nations to tackle the challenges ahead. “What we do not have at the moment is certainty in the competitive supply of fibre that we can invite investment into this region,” Mayor Yu stated. “We need to develop trust and find innovative solutions.”
Kiel Giddens, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie, also shared his perspective on the industry’s importance, noting his own background in the resource industries and his early career in forestry. Giddens stressed the need for bold action to navigate the current economic uncertainty and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the forest sector. “We need to do much, much better,” he said, referencing the challenges posed by high log costs and market instability. “We need to reimagine our forestry sector so that it’s an industry that young people can see a bright future in,” he added.
Kim Haakstad, the new President and CEO of COFI, closed the welcoming segment by expressing her enthusiasm for the convention and the work ahead. She acknowledged the leadership of former CEO Linda Cody and introduced her vision for the future of COFI and the forest sector. Haakstad, who joined COFI just two months prior, emphasized the importance of working together to face the sector’s challenges and create opportunities for future generations.
Drafted with the assistance of digital tools to streamline the process.
