A comprehensive support package will fill the gap and help BC businesses affected by US tariffs produce and sell more of their products locally as well as overseas. … “President Trump’s unfair trade war is an attack on BC workers, businesses and communities – especially in our forest sector,” said Premier David Eby. “BThat’s why we’re enhancing proven programs to help BC businesses find new customers, create jobs and build a stronger, more resilient and self-reliant economy.” The support package provides new funding to existing programs:
- An additional $30M for a renewed BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund
- An additional $30M for the Integrated Marketplace initiative
- An additional $15M for the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program
- And, $15M will expand the BuyBC program beyond agriculture
With the biggest impact from US tariffs being placed on BC’s forest sector, this support package includes a commitment that funding applications from the forestry sector and forest-reliant communities will be prioritized.
In the face of ongoing trade disputes, including those around softwood lumber, the Government of Canada is taking decisive action to support the forest sector. We are committed to protecting workers and jobs, and giving Canadian companies the stability they need to weather short-term shocks and retool for a stronger, more diversified future. In support of that commitment, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, today highlighted a $30-million loan to Conifex Timber Inc. through the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan (LETL) facility. The funding provided through LETL will help the company adapt to current conditions, support its workers, and build a more secure future for the community of Mackenzie, British Columbia. This support comes as the Government of Canada enhances the LETL facility to better meet the needs of Canadian employers facing continued trade uncertainty.

The Union of BC Municipalities have endorsed Nanaimo’s request that the province ban raw log exports out of BC. UBCM voted on a range of resolutions that the union will use when advocating to the province on changes to policy and law, including the banning of all raw logs from BC. Originally coming from the City of Nanaimo, the resolution argues that “the lack of adequate and affordable fibre supply has been identified as a key factor in the continued curtailment or permanent closure of BC’s sawmills and pulp mills, causing loss of employment and tax income for resource-based and resource-dependent communities.” It also states that… the federal government, should ban the export of raw logs and lumber from BC “encouraging value-added manufacturing and supporting employment in BC’s forest industry.” The resolution also called for BC mills to be supported in a transition to utilize marketable tree species.