Media Contacts

Ministry of Labour

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
778 584-1643

Backgrounders

Facts about forestry support programs
  • On Sept. 17, 2019, government announced $69 million over three fiscal years for new supports for Interior forestry workers. This includes retirement bridging, job placement and retraining programs with the ministries of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development and Advanced Education and Skills Training.
  • The Bridging to Retirement Program has provided about $46 million in benefits, helping 1,066 workers retire early and creating 665 forestry jobs for younger workers. In the Interior region, 866 workers made the transition to retirement.
  • The retirement program funding is fully subscribed. The final applications are being processed and all applicants will be informed of their status in the near future.
  • The maximum amount of funding available through the program was $75,000 for eligible workers, depending on age, years of experience and employer contributions.
  • Job placement offices were launched in five interior communities hardest hit by mill closures and continue in 100 Mile House, Fort St. James and Fort St. John.
  • Over the past three years, over 885 impacted workers were supported by assessing skills, connecting people with training opportunities, engaging with employers and being matched with jobs.