Derek Nighbor

As we push through the current trade dispute with the United States and the geo-political uncertainty around us, it’s time to look inward with greater urgency. Canada has real operating, infrastructure, and productivity challenges and now is the time to be serious about fixing them. …For Canada’s forest products sector, the most immediate opportunities… come from fixing overlapping rules, making decisions faster, better coordinating federal and provincial processes, and creating a clearer path for private investment. At a time when the federal government is looking carefully at new programs to stabilize and strengthen our economy, regulatory efficiency needs to be a critical part of the budget season conversation. …The Forest Sector Transformation Task Force has done the work to provide a government with useful playbook. Its recommendations point to the importance of cost-competitive wood supply, modernization, timely approvals, stronger market access, reliable trade infrastructure, and better coordination.