I’ve been getting this question a lot lately: Why forestry? With all of the challenges on the horizon, what made you ask Premier David Eby for this task?

As we celebrate Canada’s National Forest Week, it’s time to reflect on the sector’s importance to the people of British Columbia.

We all know about or have personally felt the effects of the forestry industry’s downturn over the last few years.

We all know about or have personally felt the effects of the forestry industry’s downturn over the last few years.

Mount Elphinstone, located on the west side of Howe Sound between Gibsons and Sechelt on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, is designated as provincial forest. Current land use supports management for a variety of values, including forestry, water, wildlife and recreation.

B.C. worked closely with the federal government which is responsible for representing Canadian interests in trade negotiations. While the federal government engaged extensively with its U.S. counterparts, there is not yet enough common ground to support an agreement.

Here in British Columbia, forests have always been a vital part of our way of life ― anchoring our economy, and providing both recreation and tourism opportunities. 

In the 1970s a number of events occurred at the same time which led to B.C. becoming a significant supplier of softwood lumber to the U.S.

British Columbia is committed to sustainable forest management. A key element of that are silviculture practices. Effective silviculture practices help control the establishment, growth, composition, quality and harvest of forest vegetation for various forest resource objectives. These include timber harvesting, wildlife, water, recreation, and aesthetic values, or a combination of these objectives and other forest uses.