COFI “disappointed” by absence of support for Forestry Sector in BC Budget 2025

BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI)’s president, Kim Haakstad, is feeling “disappointed by the absence” of support for the Forestry Sector in Budget 2025.

In a press release on Tuesday, March 4, Haakstads said “There is no one simple fix” to the challenges the forestry sector will face with the newly implemented tariffs, from President Donald Trump.

Premier David Eby and Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar have acknowledged the forestry sector will be hard hit by the broad scope the tariffs have on exporting all forest products.

On top of the tariffs, the forestry sector is now facing an increase in preliminary rates to 20.07 per cent on duties for softwood lumber.

“Ensuring predictable access to sustainable and economic fibre is critical to maintaining jobs and supporting operations in the province,” says Haakstad.

Another of COFI’s concerns in Budget 2025, is the government seemingly does not plan to commit to harvesting the 45 million cubic metres it outlined as part of its election platform.

Budget 2025 predicts a decline to harvesting to 29 million by 2027/28. Below what COFI says is the Allowable Annual Cut of 60 million cubic metres. Haakstad says the government’s committed harvest amount is crucial to maintaining jobs.

“Increasing the actual harvest to 45 million cubic metres would not only stop further job losses, but create the conditions to add jobs and generate hundreds of millions in additional tax revenue and stumpage fees.”

Haakstad says COFI is in support of the government’s streamlining of permit and regulatory processes for major projects. However, she urges that a similar approach needs to be applied to forestry projects.

“Timely action on these priorities is essential to safeguard BC’s forest sector, maintain good–paying jobs, and secure the industry’s long–term future in the face of mounting global challenges.”


Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyKootenayNow News Alerts.

Continue Reading

cjat Now playing play

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

$5.8 million in energy upgrades for affordable housing in the Kootenays

Affordable rental housing across the Kootenays will benefit from over $5.8 million in clean energy upgrades thanks to the Columbia Basin Trust.

Woman caught in crypto scam

A 61-year-old Trail woman has lost $37k in an elaborate online cryptocurrency fraud.

Trail Regional Airport hikes parking fees

Parking at the Trail Regional Airport just became more expensive. 

Eby, Washington state officials decry Trump’s tariffs ahead of looming deadline

Premier David Eby is inviting Americans to side with Canada in the fight against former U.S. president Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs, saying, “This is not what anybody wants.”

La Nina shelter to operate until 2028

Trail’s La Nina homeless shelter on Riverside Avenue has received the green light from council to operate for another three years. 
- Advertisement -