B.C. forestry groups tell David Eby industry is at ‘breaking point’

British Columbia forestry groups have written to Premier David Eby, saying the industry is at a “breaking point” and urging immediate action on challenges that include provincial permitting delays and U.S. tariffs.

The letter is co-authored by organizations representing contractors, manufacturers, unions and others dependent on forestry, including the BC Council of Forest Industries, BC First Nations Forestry Council and the Truck Loggers Association.

The groups acknowledge that international trade pressures are beyond the premier’s control, but say many of the industry’s challenges are “homegrown.” They are asking Eby to quickly establish a crisis group mandated to reduce costs, remove regulatory barriers and get economically viable wood moving.

They say the group should be led by Eby’s office and include senior government decision-makers and representatives from across the forestry sector.

The letter also calls for B.C.’s economically viable harvest to rise to 45 million cubic metres annually from the current projection of 29 million cubic metres. In an Aug. 27 update, the province said it was exploring a working forest landscape model and identifying areas where logging would be prioritized in pursuit of the 45-million-cubic-metre target.

B.C. has seen mill closures in recent years. Domtar announced last month that it would close its Howe Sound pulp mill and a chipping facility in the region.

The letter says B.C. companies cannot control U.S. trade policy, but that British Columbia can control many of the costs, regulations, policies, permitting processes and fibre-access decisions that determine whether those companies survive. It says that while international trade pressures are beyond the province’s direct control, many of the conditions affecting whether B.C. companies can continue operating are not.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 9, 2026.