BRITISH COLUMBIA – More employment opportunities are underway for contractors and forestry workers throughout rural BC under the Province’s Forest Employment Program (FEP).
“We know that changes and downturns can be hard on communities that rely on the forestry sector, and our government is there for them,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “That’s why we’re funding important local projects in collaboration with rural communities and First Nations to help forestry workers seeking new opportunities in their local community.”
From January until March 2022, the Government of BC provided $2 million for 41 FEP projects that are now complete or nearing completion. Projects included grading, brushing and improving forest service roads, including improving accessibility; environmental damage repairs; improving and building recreation sites and trails; and capacity-building projects.
The Province has invested $30 million since the FEP was created in 2019, supporting more than 315 projects that have created more than 840 employment opportunities for British Columbians in rural communities and First Nations.
The program is completing a new round of projects to be funded through the Province’s $185-million support package to help British Columbians affected by old growth deferrals, of which, up to $27.5 million is allocated to the FEP over three years.
“As someone who has worked in the forest sector, I know personally how important forestry is for rural communities throughout the province,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests. “The Forest Employment Program is keeping forestry workers in the industry and creating jobs, while also benefiting communities and their local economies.”
The FEP provides employment opportunities for forestry contractors and workers affected by mill curtailments, old-growth deferrals and other impacts to the sector. For example, contractor Alma Vant Schip has benefited from two rounds of FEP funding.
“As a north Island contractor and resident, I have appreciated the projects and jobs that I have worked on. In particular, Port Alice, where I live, has been affected by a mill closure and a downturn in the forest industry,” said Vant Schip. “The Forest Employment Program projects have given jobs and opened up roads for locals and tourists to access the west coast.”
To further support people in the sector, government recently announced the Forestry Worker Supports and Community Resiliency Council. The council will advise the Province about improvements to existing programs and the development of new, forward-looking initiatives to support forestry workers and the economic resiliency of rural communities.
“The Interior Logging Association is appreciative of all the support that the Forest Employment Program has provided to contractors, their employees and to the communities. We are looking forward to seeing increased benefits for our members as the program continues to evolve.” Said Todd Chamberlain, general manager of the Interior Logging Association.
Forest Employment Projects FY2021-22 – Cariboo region
Yunesit’in housing project – FEP funding: $236,515.78
District of Quesnel forest service road snow plowing – FEP funding: $23,245.69
100B forest service road realignment – FEP funding: $19,987.83
3400 forest service road improvement – FEP funding: $71,411.29
Forest Employment Projects FY2021-22 – West Coast region
Campbell River District Ever Bridge guard rail installation – FEP funding: $14,694
Chinikundl forest service road stabilization – FEP funding: $13,950
Fair Harbour forest service road maintenance – FEP funding: $369,273.41
Honna forest service roaddaylighting – FEP funding: $45,050
Klaskino and Mahatta O’Connell Lake Area forest service road brushing, ditching and grading – FEP funding: $49,994
Klaskino and Mahatta O’Connell Lake Area forest service road brushing, ditching and grading – FEP funding: $30,000
Ledge Point forest service road grading and culvert – FEP funding: $15,000
Ledge Point forest service road grading and culvert – FEP funding: $20,000
Maggie forest service road Br. 03 culvert replacement and slide clean up – FEP funding: $55,454
Maggie forest service road grading – FEP funding: $13,900
Moresby forest service road maintenance – FEP funding: $57,000
North Island Central Coast (NICC) district wide “as and when” grading – FEP funding: $19,977
North Island Central Coast (NICC) distict wide “and and when” grading – FEP funding: $30,000
Raft, Ronning and Mack Jack River forest service roads brushing and grading – FEP funding: $59,394
Salt Marsh forest service road accessibility – FEP funding: $19,790
Salt Marsh forest service road accessibility – FEP funding: $20,000
Sanjo forest service road, Swan Lake brushing and ditching – FEP funding: $20,000
Sanjo forest service road, Swan Lake brushing and ditching – FEP funding: $70,000
Sombrio, Minute Creek and Hill 60 forest service road grading – FEP funding: $11,625
Smugglers forest service road brushing, grading and ditching – FEP funding: $28,155
Smugglers forest service road brushing, grading and ditching – FEP funding: $30,000
Vernon forest service road brushing, grading and ditching – FEP funding: $24,999
Vernon forest service road brushing, grading and ditching – FEP funding: $15,000
Zeballos forest service road maintenance – FEP funding: $85,269
Zeballos forest service road works – FEP funding: $70,000
Forest Employment Projects FY2021-22 – Thompson Okanagan region
Gollen forest service road riprap works – FEP funding: $32,000
Jamieson forest service road improvements – FEP funding: $90,000
Kamloops Region forest service road snow plowing – FEP funding: $25,000
West Pavilion forest service road snow plowing – FEP funding: $99,020
Forest Employment Projects FY2021-22 – Kootenay Boundary region
Rocky Mountian District forest service road snow plow – FEP funding: $13,337
Forest Employment Projects FY2021-22 – Omineca region
Prince George District forest service road maintenance – FEP funding: $30,000
Stuart Nechako District North Road maintenance – FEP funding: $36,154
