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Forestry Works for BC makes a case for the forest industry

Forestry Works for BC is a new initiative representing more than 1,000 businesses across B.C.’s forestry sector. The campaign is raising awareness about forestry’s critical role in the well-being of rural and urban communities.

“We in the industry have done a very poor job in telling our story; all the positive things that we do, all the contributions that the industry makes,” said Ken Kalesnikoff, president and CEO for Kalesnikoff Lumber near Castlegar, while appearing before the Regional District of Central Kootenay’s board of directors earlier this month.

He petitioned directors raise their voices for the future of forestry by sending a letter to Forests Minister Bruce Ralston, requesting a meeting at the Union of BC Municipalities’ (UBCM) annual convention next month.

“As localized, elected officials, your voices are powerful,” said Kalesnikoff. The board’s decision on the request is set for its September meeting.

How does forestry work for B.C.?

Kalesnikoff said the forestry industry is a main contributor to government revenues with more than $6.5 billion distributed across all levels of government. These funds support B.C.’s services and infrastructure, like hospitals, schools, and highways.

“Forestry has been the foundation of our province,” he said.

He said forestry used to contribute more to the province, but, since 2018, harvest levels have dropped by 42 per cent and half of B.C.’s mills have been lost. Today’s harvest levels are less than 60 per cent of the sustainable allowable annual cut (AAC) determined by the province’s chief forester, Shane Berg.

Kalesnikoff said government-issued cutting permits have slowed as a result of policy changes spurred by MLAs listening to constituents who aren’t aware of how forestry benefits their lives.

“When access to AAC is unreliable, harvest levels drop, and government revenues for critical services decline,” he said.

“At the current rate of harvest, the sector will lose the critical mass to sustain itself. The impact will not just be felt by our local supply chain businesses, but by everyone in British Columbia.”

Beyond the economy and critical infrastructure, in the face of climate change, forests need more management, not less, said Kalesnikoff.

“A working forest makes our forests more resilient to wildfires and our communities safer,” stated a slide from his presentation. “Today’s forest workers are on the front lines of the battle against climate change.”

In 2023, 2.84 million hectares of forest in B.C. burned in wildfires.

By actively managing forests – through prescribed burns, for example – the forestry sector can help reduce the severity of wildfires, protecting homes and lives, Kalesnikoff said.

Managing forests also includes planting trees; the industry planted over 220 million seedlings last year.

“We need to tend to [the forest] like a garden,” Kalesnikoff said. “There are solutions out there that would be much better than just drawing a line around a piece of property, throwing away the key, and hoping it doesn’t burn.”

Moving forward

Kalesnikoff said Forestry Works for BC’s momentum is building. More communities are starting to recognize how important forestry is to their wellbeing.

Kamloops council brought forward a forestry-focused resolution, which will be discussed at the UBCM convention in September.

Campbell River, Terrace, and North Cowichan councils raised concerns in public letters to Ralston.

Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dollen Logan, Simpcw First Nation Chief George Lampreau, and the mayors of McBride, Prince George, and Valemount have also voiced their concerns.

“Forestry can be part of the solution,” he said. “This isn’t about trees versus jobs. It’s about quality of life, and an annual allowable cut that we can count on… We want this to be a long-term campaign to help get the industry’s social licence back so we can be proud of the forest industry in B.C.”

Rachael Lesosky is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter for Valley Voice.