The Province has extended the reduced fee in place for log exports in the Mid-Coast Timber Supply Area until June 2018 to support forestry jobs in the area.

In January 2013, the Province reduced fees on low- and mid-grade logs from the Mid-Coast Timber Supply Area in an effort to increase harvest levels on a trial basis. It is a difficult and expensive area in which to work. Logs have to be sent to Vancouver to be cut or exported, and much of the wood is of low quality. Additionally, the volume of logs exported is surplus to domestic mills.

The trial was successful, with increased overall harvest and additional logs being directed to mills. Economic data on revenues and costs supplied by smaller firms provided valuable insight into harvest operations. The Province will continue working with licensees to collect data during the extension period.

The extension will synchronize the mid-coast timber exemption order with other coastal timber exemption orders.

Quick Facts:

• In 2015, the Province collected more than $25 million from log export fees.
• More than 90% of the timber harvested in B.C. is sold to domestic manufacturers.
• The exemption does not apply to western redcedar or cypress.

Learn More:

Strong Past, Bright Future: A Competitiveness Agenda for British Columbia’s Forest Sector can be found at: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/competitive-forest-industry

Provincial log export policy: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/competitive-forest-industry/log-exports

Forest Act: http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/96157_10