National

B.C. sets aside some timber supply for value-added

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Jan, 2023 06:06 PM

DELTA, B.C. - The British Columbia government is launching a new program that will ensure dedicated access to the provincial timber supply for secondary manufacturers that make value-added products.

Forests Minister Bruce Ralston says the goal is to build a stronger, more resilient forest industry with value-added products such as mass timber, plywood, veneer, panelling and flooring.

Thank you @CoastlandWood for the tour and for hosting many industry leaders today. It is great to see a #BC business growing and expanding. @ILAlogger @IWPABC @JakePowerWood @BrendaBaileyBC (3/3) pic.twitter.com/8iqmsr23P7
— Bruce Ralston (@BruceRalston) January 24, 2023

The government says in a statement that those products are increasingly in demand as alternatives to carbon-intensive construction products such as cement, resulting in steady job growth in the province.

The statement says the program will be restricted to those facilities that have minimal or no forestry tenure and are approved as a value-added manufacturer.

Figures show overall harvest levels in the forest industry in B.C. have decreased in the past decade, but employment in the value-added sector has grown by about 35 per cent since 2012.

Paul Rasmussen, with the Interior Lumber Manufacturers' Association, says they're encouraged to see the government recognize that a dedicated fibre allocation for the value-added sector is required.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Feds want 500K immigrants per year by 2025

Canadian industries are facing a significant labour shortage, with about 1 million job vacancies across the country. The new plan puts an emphasis on increasing the number immigrants who will be admitted based on their work skills or experience over the next three years.

Feds want 500K immigrants per year by 2025

Santa isn't coming to Vancouver, parade cancelled

The society says it's putting the parade on hiatus again "with a great deal of regret", after the event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of pandemic precautions. The event traditionally features performances from bands and dance troupes, as well as an appearance by Santa and his helpers.

Santa isn't coming to Vancouver, parade cancelled

Weekend rain gives B.C. only modest drought relief

The storm prompted high streamflow advisories for waterways across Vancouver Island and the central and south coasts, but the River Forecast Centre expected levels to peak by late Monday, while another powerful rainstorm could arrive by the end of the week.

Weekend rain gives B.C. only modest drought relief

Witness says she told mayor he had a scaly face

Johnstone says she was in her car when she told McCallum to resign and that she would be the one to bring him down. McCallum, who lost his bid for re-election two weeks ago, has pleaded not guilty to the public mischief charge filed against him last December.

Witness says she told mayor he had a scaly face

New contract for B.C. public school teachers

The association says the agreement follows the provincial shared recovery mandate, which sets out specific wage increases, including inflation protection, while ensuring the government has the resources to protect services and support economic recovery.

New contract for B.C. public school teachers

New deal would give B.C. family doctors pay raise

Currently, family doctors are paid through a fee-for-service model and the government said the new plan will also pay them for hours worked, administrative costs, and the number and complexity of patients. Dr. Ramneek Dosanjh, president of Doctors of BC, said the deal represents a "seismic shift" in the way family medicine is practised in the province.