Forestry is getting a boost
Dear Editor:
Author Bo Bennett wrote, “A dream becomes a goal when action is taken toward its achievement.” Premier Clark’s BC Jobs Plan keeps on fulfilling its goal simply by achieving.
If you are in the forestry biz or have a business or job that benefits from this sector, there are exciting opportunities ahead. Last week, Minister Steve Thomson reported at a Gorman Bros. Lumber mill tour in Westbank that the BC forest industry just got a big boost.
As part of Premier Clark’s BC Jobs Plan, the ministry released our government’s Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia. The strategy will build on and grow six priorities “planted” by the Working Roundtable on Forestry to support a more vibrant and globally competitive forestry industry that will support employment across the province.
The strategy encourages markets in Asia to make B.C. forest products their first choice for building materials, increasing demand for lumber and strengthening the forestry sector. Gorman Bros. Lumber is one example of a forest company that stands to benefit from this focus on market diversification as they export 28 per cent of their production overseas to countries such as Japan and Korea.
The strategy will enhance B.C.’s forestry advantage with actions that support the wood-first commitment, growing trees, carbon storage, a competitive operating climate, innovation, diversification, rural economies, and First Nations’ participation. The strategy calls for new applications and expanded use of wood construction in non-residential and mid-rise buildings.
Ongoing investment in reforestation, silviculture activities, and forest carbon projects will result in fast-growing forests to address timber supply challenges created by the mountain pine beetle infestation. B.C.’s forest sector will continue to transform and innovate to meet the need for green energy and help build the bio-economy.
The forest sector strategy also involves continued opportunities for community forest agreements, the woodlot program and helping First Nations move forward as partners in forestry.
John Allan, president and CEO, Council of Forest Industries said, “We’re pleased to see the provincial government has developed a strategy that will fully leverage the strengths of the B.C. forest sector. It builds on our reputation for sustainability, and encourages competitiveness, investment and innovation — which are key to building the sector.”
They say that success breeds success and our government’s Job Plan continues to fulfill its commitments by enabling British Columbians and their families to succeed and live in this amazing place.
For more information on the forest strategy go to www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/forestsectorstrategy.
Doug Clovechok
Columbia River-Revelstoke
BC Liberal candidate
Thank God somebody in this province has a job’s plan, we sure know that Do Nothing Norm and the NDP have not. DNN even admitted same during a Chamber of Commerce luncheon here in Invermere a couple of months ago.
In fact, and again, DNN has done everything in his limited power to deter jobs in the Columbia Valley.
Do I sound a little pissed at his inability to accomplish things? YOU BET. He, DNN has taken approximately $ 100,000 per year into his jeans and accomplished – - – what?
For the 5th year in a row now, I have been asking for some tangible accomplishment that DNN has done for the Columbia River and Revelstoke areas short of huffing and puffing. As yet, nobody has been able to show a thing.
Am I and so many other pissed or what????
I bet this guy Pacey still believes in Santa too!!! This man is a DREAMER if he thinks THIS Provincial government has the KNOW-HOW to create jobs in any sector of the economy. Sounds like he is simply a card carrying B.C. Liberal (Reformers/Alliance).
Hi there Bongo, yup, I definitely believe in Santa, don’t you too ! And yes, I definitely see the glass as half full rather than full empty as many might.
Let’s look at job creation and the BC Liberals. . . . $ 8,000,000,000 and counting for Canadian shipping industry.. . . . . A new LNG plant in Kitimat . . . new jobs being created in the Forest industry with a major push at the Asian continent. . . . that relates to about 300 jobs in Radium and area alone . . . new positions at the universities for about, what,? 300 new nurses per year in the province. . . . a new university and all the attendent jobs. . . Or a new cancer hospital in the Abbotsford area with all the attendent high paying jobs and medical benefits……
Do you want me to continue Bongo? I would be more than pleased. There are many more.
And yes, I am a card carrying BC Liberal and very proud of the accomplishments this governement has accomplished over the last 9 or 10 years.
But, I could go on with other job creation initiatives if you like ????? Let us know.