B.C. Forest Industry Workers Looking for Signs of Hope in Early 2020

The crisis facing British Columbia’s forest industry is intensifying as markets decline, mills completely shut down, or curtail production and a strike involving 3,000 forestry workers enters its seventh month. Finance Ministry numbers from late last year revealed that forestry revenues were down 11% and projected harvest volumes of 46 million cubic meters were the lowest in years. B.C. Premier John Horgan spoke at the recent Truck Loggers Association annual convention. In his remarks Horgan mentioned the challenges facing B.C.’s forest industry, including U.S. duties on B.C. softwood exports, mill closures in the Interior, two consecutive wildfire seasons and ongoing structural changes in the industry. But he said the strike remains deeply concerning. His thoughts were echoed by the Truck Loggers Association Executive Director David Elstone.