FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“The hard-working men and women of BC’s forestry sector deserve a government that will fight for their jobs, not one that sits idly by as mills close and communities suffer.” - John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia
September 5th, Plateau and Fort St. John, BC: John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, is condemning Premier David Eby and the BC NDP government for their failure to support the province’s forestry industry, following Canfor Corporation’s announcement to permanently close its Plateau and Fort St. John sawmills in northern BC, affecting 500 workers.
“Today’s announcement is yet another example of the NDP’s inability to protect one of BC’s cornerstone industries,” said Rustad. “These closures are not just statistics; they represent families losing their livelihoods and communities facing economic devastation. The NDP has failed these workers and their families.”
Canfor has cited high US tariffs and the ongoing challenges of an unsustainable business environment as key factors driving the decision to close these mills. Canfor CEO Don Kayne stated, “in recent years, increasing regulatory complexity, high operating costs and the inability to reliably access economically viable timber to support our manufacturing facilities has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars of losses in our BC operations.” The closures are expected to have far-reaching impacts on northern BC’s economy and highlight the need for immediate government intervention.
Rustad emphasized that while US tariffs play a role, the real issue lies with the provincial government’s failure to create a supportive business environment. “It’s clear that the NDP’s regulatory burdens and lack of strategic vision are compounding the difficulties faced by our forestry sector. We need a government that will stand up against unfair trade practices while also fostering a competitive business environment here at home.”
The company’s press release also expressed their disappointment and hope for future opportunities in BC forestry, “we are devastated by the decline in our province's foundational forest industry, and we recognize the impact these closures will have on our employees and their families, as well as our First Nations partners, contractors, suppliers, communities and customers [...] we will continue to do all we can to advocate for changes that will allow our industry in BC to once again be able to thrive in the future." Rustad criticized the NDP’s failure to manage BC’s natural resources effectively, further exacerbating the crisis in the forestry sector.
“The NDP’s mishandling of BC’s forest management has led to skyrocketing costs and an unstable supply chain, making it nearly impossible for companies like Canfor to survive,” Rustad continued. “The government’s lack of action is putting thousands of BC jobs at risk, and today’s closures are just the latest casualty.”
Rustad called on the NDP to immediately address the systemic issues plaguing the forestry sector, including reducing regulatory burdens, improving resource management, and providing targeted support to mitigate the impact of US tariffs. “David Eby and the NDP need to wake up to the reality that their policies are driving industry and investment out of our province,” Rustad concluded. “The hard-working men and women of BC’s forestry sector deserve a government that will fight for their jobs, not one that sits idly by as mills close and communities suffer.”
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For more information, please contact [email protected].
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