{"id":81189,"date":"2024-05-01T12:26:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-01T12:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resourcework2.devstudio.work\/?p=81189"},"modified":"2024-11-11T11:21:43","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T11:21:43","slug":"red-ink-flags-for-forestry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/resourcework2.devstudio.work\/?p=81189","title":{"rendered":"Red ink and red flags for BC forestry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Now on our must-watch list, two special videos coming from the Indigenous Resource Network (IRN) \u2014 \u201ca 2-part documentary focused on the unique stories of Indigenous forestry workers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part One is to come out on the IRN\u2019s YouTube<\/a> channel on Thursday May 9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPart One takes place in Squamish BC where forestry has played a major role in building the town of Squamish. Follow the stories of Roger Lewis from Squamish Nation and hear about how the forestry industry has had a unique impact on his family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IRN promises: \u201cRoger\u2019s passion for land stewardship and responsible development shines through his interview.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis, a logger for 25 years, is superintendent of special projects at Nch’Kay’ Development Corporation<\/a>, the economic arm of the Squamish Nation. Of it, he says: \u201cWe\u2019re hoping to expand and eventually . . . upgrade more equipment, more training, more experienced workers . . . and be able to perform everything in-house.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BC government has committed to a policy of encouraging and enabling greater First Nations participation and more Indigenous partnerships in the industry. That we applaud, and there has been some progress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We hope the IRN video tells us more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because, sadly, the policy has become yet one more factor in the uncertainties affecting the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And at this point, the outlook of BC\u2019s forest sector is a full of red ink and red flags. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teal Jones, the largest privately held forest company on the West Coast, employing around 1,000 people, is battling bankruptcy<\/a> and has filed for creditor protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It cites low lumber prices, inflationary pressures, and rapidly escalating interest rates. Others have also noted increases in government \u201cstumpage\u201d fees on their logs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teal Jones further noted that \u201ca costly protracted demonstration at the logging site of one of its forest licences” cost the company $40 million. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Business in Vancouver<\/em> reports: \u201cThe reference is likely to the Fairy Creek anti-logging protests on Vancouver IsIand between 2020 and 2022. Teal Jones\u2019 Tree Farm Licence 46 was one of the areas targeted by protesters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did the protesters ever think about their potential impact on forest-company employees and their families? (And as Squamish Nation citizen Roger Lewis said in an earlier video<\/a>: \u201cActivists do not speak for First Nations.\u201d) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, another report<\/a> found BC lumber production was \u201cdown by a whopping 26.5 per cent\u201d for the better part of 2023, with demand shrinking as higher interest rates cut demand for new housing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council of Forest Industries of BC, issued a report<\/a> in April showing how \u201cforestry is foundational to British Columbia.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key findings:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n