Ottawa Pressured to Look Closer at Forestry Woes

By 250 News

Members of Parliament are being urged to launch an intensive study that focuses on the unique opportunities and challenges facing the forest products industry, which is Canada’s largest exporter of goods.

The President and Chief Executive of the Forest Products Association of Canada, Avrim Lazar says ““Complacency is not an option,” .

Lazar  appeared  before the Industry, Science and Technology Standing Committee this week . Lazar says it is time for the federal government  to develop a market-based action plan that would set the groundwork for a vibrant forestry industry, a sector that represents 3% of the national GDP.

 “We need a coherent action plan to re-establish our dominance in the global marketplace,” says Lazar.

Lazar says the Bank of Canada’s move this week to cut its rate by 25 basis points was welcome news,  but won’t do enough  to  offset  damage that’s already been done by the dollar’s surge.

The Forest Products Association says in the past year, mills in Canada have announced 60 production curtailments  resulting in the loss of over 8,000 jobs.

A local Forestry analyst says there needs to be a national strategy and national leadership.   He says it should start with all Canadians , at all levels,  accepting  that Canada is a global player  and has an  global opportunity to supply other nations.  "The opportunity isn't just for B.C".,he says, " it is a national  opportunity that  should see all  Canadians reaping a benefit , afterall,  the forests and the resources belong to the people."

All agree the forest industry in Canada is changing, and  that eventually the US housing market will recover.  Our analyst says those homes may be built with Canadian 2x4s “But the rest of  the  goods to  finish the home will be from outside North America…unless we change our way of thinking”.

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