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COFI warns of severe economic impact from looming railway strikes

The BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) raised alarms today over the potentially devastating economic impact of impending railway strikes. Kurt Niquidet, vice president and chief economist of COFI, issued a statement urging all parties involved—including employers, unions, and the federal government—to urgently resolve the situation to avoid widespread disruption.

Niquidet highlighted that rail transportation is crucial for moving lumber, pulp, and paper products across North America and to global markets. A strike affecting both CN and CPKC could lead to tens of millions of dollars in weekly losses for the forest products manufacturing sector, risking mill curtailments, job losses, and economic instability in forestry-dependent communities across British Columbia.

“The broader economic fallout on British Columbia could be devastating,” Niquidet warned, stressing the importance of maintaining a reliable transportation network to safeguard Canada’s competitive position in global markets.

Niquidet added that COFI remains committed to working with government and industry partners to find solutions that protect the forest sector and the communities it supports.

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