Forests
The Province is expanding and strengthening the role of BC Timber Sales (BCTS), to ensure B.C.’s forests continue to support good forestry jobs and healthy resilient forests for future generations.
“B.C.’s forestry sector is experiencing significant change – a changing climate, a changing market and changing trade relationships,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “In this uncertain time, we’re giving BCTS the tools to meet this critical moment head on. This is about taking action to support a thriving forest economy and deliver on the public interest for workers, towns, families and companies throughout the province.”
The change comes in response to the expert recommendations from the BCTS Task Force review.
“The forest industry and the many communities that depend on it are under great stress today,” said George Abbott, a member of the BCTS task force. “The task force did its best to identify solutions that might strengthen the industry and communities in the longer term, with or without punitive trade actions from the south.”
Previously, the BCTS mandate was focused on auctioning publicly owned timber and setting price benchmarks without considering broader goals around the strength and sustainability of the forestry sector.
The expanded mandate of BCTS is centred around four key cornerstones:
- Build thriving communities, with good jobs for people
- Supporting manufacturing diversity
- Strong partnerships with First Nations and communities
- Resilient forest ecosystems
The expanded mandate ensures BCTS will be able to respond to the specific, unique needs of each community and wood manufacturers, allowing it to better serve forestry operations and local mills who are investing in existing or new local, independent or value-added forestry operations.
Further, the expanded mandate will help increase performance, move more fibre, and better serve the current client base, including the primary sector. BCTS will now be able to make investments that are more strategic, focused on long-term resiliency and prosperity.
The work of the BCTS task force contains recommendations aimed at:
- creating forestry sector growth, competition and diversification;
- providing predictable and reliable market access to fibre;
- diversifying access to fibre for the manufacturing sector, including value-added facilities;
- strengthening partnerships with First Nations and communities;
- providing more jobs for contractors, workers and communities; and,
- leading in innovative, sustainable forest management and silviculture practices.
The Ministry of Forests is taking immediate action to support the expanded mandate of BCTS and implementation of the recommendations from the task force.
Many actions are underway and others will be achieved through a phased approach. Initial implementation actions include:
- auctioning commercial thinning sales that improve forest health by reducing the understory, allowing trees more space to grow and strengthen against fire and pests (on Sept. 17, 2025, BCTS completed its first commercial thinning sale);
- utilizing the expertise in BCTS to manage stewardship projects, wildfire risk reduction, dangerous trees removal, rehabilitation of range land and partial harvest to maintain forest health;
- working toward doubling the dedicated fibre supply for value-added wood manufacturing companies to 20% of BCTS forestry licences;
- making it easier for smaller companies to bid on auctions in groups;
- active long-term forest planning through planting a variety of climate-adapted species and other native tree species;
- continuing to increase the use of prescribed fire in planning for reforestation and wildfire risk reduction;
- continuing to build First Nations partnerships that support obtaining fair-market returns for timber under licences;
- developing methods to market and sell logging residuals, such as branches and tree tops, to support sectors, such as the pulp sector;
- exploring new tools that ensure local logs support local jobs where appropriate to ensure that BCTS is benefiting people and communities; and
- auctioning undeveloped timber sales in select locations, to expedite the salvage of damaged timber.
The expert recommendations were developed by a task force who were assembled for their diverse forestry expertise, consisting of Abbott, former MLA; Brian Frenkel, Vanderhoof city councillor; and Lennard Joe, chief executive officer, First Nations Forestry Council. The task force members met with 50 groups and individuals, held two virtual engagement sessions, and received more than 300 submissions from January to July 2025.
The BCTS Review and mandate-expansion is part of the government’s work to ensure B.C.’s forestry sector is stable, resilient, sustainable for generations to come and better delivers for people, communities, First Nations and companies.
Quick Facts:
- BCTS was first established in 2003 with a mandate to provide price benchmarks for public timber, provide open market access and generate revenue for the Province.
- BCTS auctions 20% of B.C.’s publicly owned timber supply, with a separate dedicated supply of fibre for small- and medium-sized value-added wood manufacturing companies.
- With offices in 33 communities around the province, BCTS employs forestry professionals who have been trained is a variety of specialities, such as forest health, hydrology, wildlife, terrain stability, watershed health, climate adaption, wildfire risk, harvest planning, reforestation, invasive plants and pests, technology integration, collaboration and much more.
Quotes:
Brian Frenkel, member of the BCTS task force and councillor, District of Vanderhoof –
“The BCTS Task Force review underscored the vital need to balance provincial timber objectives with the well-being of local communities and First Nations. Communities are on the front lines of both the benefits and the risks of timber sales, and their voices must remain central to shaping BCTS’s future.”
Lennard Joe, member of the BCTS task force and CEO, First Nations Forestry Council –
“This work was not simply about forestry policy; it was about people, communities, and the forests that sustain us all. The report and recommendations envision a renewed relationship between government, the sector, and First Nations – one that is rooted in collaboration, shared decision-making and long-term stewardship. Together, we can build a sector that is not only economically strong, but also culturally respectful and environmentally responsible.”
Joan Atkinson, mayor, District of Mackenzie –
“I am very encouraged to see the timely release of this report. We all agree changes are needed, and I have full confidence the hard work of the BCTS Task Force will positively impact our forest industry.”
Nick Arkle, CEO, Gorman Brothers –
“The recommendations give us all a lot to work together on. They recognize the importance of getting the balance right between the operational and economic needs for a strong and viable industry and the multiple interests of the owners of the resource. The focus on First Nation and community input will be critical to get the support that is required to be successful.”
Learn More:
To read the task force recommendations, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/download/1FB62C1A17044AFA80C6C0DB4D14FF67
To learn more about BC Timber Sales, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/bc-timber-sales
A backgrounder follows.
