December 20, 2001

Painful Changes for Coastal Forest Communities

"In other words, the currently permitted level of forest harvesting is not sustainable, and must be reduced. This will force a reduction, as well, in the scale of forest products manufacturing."
Peter H. Pearse, Ready for Change, Crisis and Opportunity in the Coast Forest Industry, November 2001, p. 5

"A BC Liberal Government will increase the Allowable Annual Cut over time through scientific forest management, proper planning, and incentives to promote enhanced silviculture."
A New Era for British Columbia, May 2001 campaign promises, p. 12

As far as the coast forest industry is concerned, the promises made by Premier Campbell are out of touch with reality if the findings of respected resource economist Peter Pearse are correct. Appointed in September by Minister de Jong, Pearse was asked to review BC's coastal forest industry and examine the opportunities for a more sustainable industry.

On page 29 of his 36 page report Pearse examines what a sustainable coastal forest industry might look like. He argues that 11 to 14 large new mills optimized to process second growth are needed. He goes on to say that the balance of the timber supply will only support half the number of mills that currently exist, between 20 and 25 out of 47 current mills.

Pearse wrote "Stakeholders in the forest industry must recognize that its present structure is not sustainable and that fundamental changes, even painful ones, must be made."

Government has a role in helping communities to adjust to painful change. Having removed FRBC and having indicated that more costs such as policing will be offloaded onto small communities, there is reason to doubt whether the Campbell government is up to the task.