BOB BRASH
This article was published in the Winter 2025 issue of the Truck Logger BC Magazine
BRITISH COLUMBIA – Affordability is a trending word of the day and for good reason; the stresses of handling the increased cost of living from all directions have become a daunting challenge for many. Typically, it seems the politicos of the world like to stress the cost side of the equation. Conversely, equal or greater attention should be paid to the income side.
That’s where our forest sector comes into the solution side of the debate. British Columbia’s forests are more than just picturesque they are a foundation of the province’s identity and a bedrock of its economy. Both past and present, the industry has been one of the province’s largest employers, providing tens of thousands of well-paying jobs, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities where opportunities can be scarce.
These jobs are vital for maintaining economic stability in smaller towns, where forestry often serves as the main driver of local economies. A thriving forest sector not only ensures steady employment but also generates substantial government revenue through taxes and royalties, which is funnelled into critical services such as healthcare, education, and public safety.
However, as the province grapples with a worsening affordability crisis-skyrocketing housing costs, rising inflation, and economic uncertainty – the future of the forest sector, the major catalyst for past and on going prosperity in our province, has come under increasingly negative pressures.
Forestry jobs, like in most natural resources, provide well above average incomes and deservedly so. The work is hard, long, and requires skilled dedication. So, when it comes to tackling affordability on the wage side of the equation, forestry jobs play a critical role in providing for our citizens, families, and communities. In the midst of an affordability crisis, the outside observer would (or should) ask why decision-makers are continually implementing ever increasing costs structures, compounding policy initiatives, and imposing operational restrictions markedly diminishing such jobs at a time when its citizens are experiencing unprecedented costs for just everyday living.
Our history, and decades of demonstrated performance has proven our ability to innovate and adapt to emerging trends, holding the significant potential for broader economic resilience benefiting us all.
From value-added wood products to bioenergy initiatives, further modernizing the industry could create new opportunities and attract investment, further strengthening its contribution to the provincial economy. Innovation also extends to the role of forestry in fighting climate change, which, while often over looked, has a profound impact on the cost side of affordability.
By managing forests, BC can enhance their role as carbon sinks, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate-driven concerns such as wildfires. These events not only endanger lives but also impose enormous financial burdens on families and communities – even down to skyrocketing costs of home insurance in parts of BC.
Concurrently, British Columbia’s forestry practices need to keep pace with evolving environmental and social expectations. Public opinion polls continually reaffirm that the vast majority support the BC forest sector. However, those same people are wanting to better understand our business and expect innovative practices to deliver on a more balanced approach to forest management-one that protects biodiversity and Indigenous rights while still enabling economic activity. Global markets and decision-makers are increasingly demanding environmentally responsible products and wood clearly delivers those needs.
However, two things need to happen. First, a clear, cohesive strategy is needed to ensure we do not fall behind international competitors. Secondly, you actually have to cut a tree down.
Innovation will also play a critical role in investments in technology, such as advanced wood processing and bioenergy production, which can create new revenue streams while reducing waste and environmental impacts. But as with most of the desired outcomes, such innovation requires certainty for investors to make it happen; an environment that does not exist today.
Equally important is the need to rationalize and streamline forestry policies, regulations, and permitting. Further complicating matters is the need for a dedicated urgency towards reducing cost structures in the business.
To overcome these challenges and unlock the forest sector’s potential to improve affordability, British Columbia must adopt a forward-thinking, collaborative approach. Key to this will be the engagement of all stakeholders, including industry players, Indigenous communities, and government agencies. By working together, we can collectively develop a shared vision for the future of forestry one that balances economic, environmental and social priorities.
Finally, addressing the affordability crisis requires a holistic approach that ex tends beyond the forest sector. Investments in infrastructure, education, and workforce training are essential to ensure that British Columbians can fully benefit from the opportunities created by a vibrant forestry industry. By integrating forestry into a broader economic development strategy, the Province can build a more resilient and equitable economy.
British Columbia’s forests are a gift that can provide for generations to come. By revitalizing the forest sector, the Province can address pressing affordability challenges while fostering an era of prosperity for the sector. Achieving this vision will require bold action, innovative thinking, and a real commitment to collaboration.
The rewards, however, are well worth the effort: a more affordable, sustainable, and prosperous future for all British Columbians.
That’ll work.
Bob Brash,RPF,MBA, Executive Director, TLA
