James Furney

On federal budget day 2025, Port McNeill Mayor James Furney—one of the founding signatories of the Alliance of Resource Communities—joined CBC Radio’s The House to discuss challenges and hopes for rural Canada’s forestry towns. Furney began by reflecting on the effects of the 45% US tariff on Canadian lumber imposed by US president Trump. Yet, he emphasized optimism in exploring new markets, particularly in Asia, to revitalize the region’s forestry industry. …While acknowledging that tax incentives in the 2025 federal budget could offer some relief, Furney cautioned that they might not be enough to attract major investments back into small-town forestry. “The forest industry has not been an attractive place for investment for a long time,” he explained. “We’ve lost the majority of our large company investments to the U.S., where they’re much better received.” Despite the economic uncertainty, Furney described a community that remains resilient and hopeful.