Panel data provided by Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter.

Forestry's Future is Brighter Than Some Predict says Winton President

By 250 News

The President of Winton Global, Mike Low, says it is far too premature to suggest that 2700 jobs will be lost following the Beetle epidemic. 

In a recent report, the Canadian Forest Service says the loss of timber supply in this region could result in 2700 jobs lost and a revenue reduction of $587 million by the time the beetle infestation has run its course.  Several Mayors, including the Mayor’s of Smithers, Burns Lake, Vanderhoof and Mayor Colin Kinsley of Prince George, have formed a group to look into the problem. 

Mike Low says innovation and technology changes within the industry will take full advantage of alternate species of wood such as aspen, balsam, fir, and alpine fir to replace the dwindling supply of pine. In addition says Low "We will also see us harvesting much more wood that, at present, is not economically feasible."  Low goes on to say, "If you add to that the new technology being developed, we will be able to access timber that at present we cannot reach and the problem will be much smaller than is being anticipated." 

The President of  Winton went on to say "To suggest 2700 people will be thrown out of work is far too premature." Low points out that "In excess of 1 billion dollars is being invested in the industry within the region and it is plain the companies do not feel the same way as some others." 

Industry does not invest this kind of money without looking for some future return. “Look at our past “said Low, "We have gone through no market, to Quotas, and then to punishing duties and in each and every case we have survived."
 
Low adds "It is important that we do not frighten workers and investors out of the industry, we have had major challenges in the past and as you can see from our collective record, we have risen to the occasion in each and every instance."  

The bottom line says Low "We have been through our ups and downs in this industry since it was first established over 100 years ago and we have survived and grown."
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