# British Columbia forestry industry economic crisis

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/british-columbia-forestry-industry-economic-crisis
> Updated: 2026-09-09T17:17:43.000Z. Sources: 63. Developments: 2.

British Columbia forestry organizations have issued a formal letter to Premier David Eby, warning that the sector has reached a ‘breaking point’. A coalition of industry groups, including the BC Council of Forest Industries, the BC First Nations Forestry Council, and the Truck Loggers Association, is calling for the immediate establishment of a provincial crisis action group to address a ‘perfect storm’ of challenges.

While acknowledging that international trade pressures are beyond provincial jurisdiction, industry leaders emphasize that ‘homegrown’ issues are critical to the sector’s survival. These domestic pressures include regulatory barriers, permitting delays, high harvesting costs, and the depletion of easily accessible timber near mills. To combat economic strain and recent mill closures, representatives are requesting that the annual economically viable harvest be increased from 29 million cubic metres to 45 million cubic metres.

Forests Minister Ravi Parmar noted that the industry is simultaneously battling significant trade duties, including a 50 per cent levy on products such as pulp, paper, and plywood, alongside a 45 per cent levy on dimensional softwood lumber. The coalition has demanded a provincial action plan within 30 days to address these compounding stability and cost issues.

## Claims

- Forestry groups are calling for a provincial crisis action group to be established immediately. (corroborated by 19 sources)
- New U.S. tariffs include a 50 per cent levy on forest products such as plywood, pulp, and paper. (corroborated by 19 sources)
- Combined duties and tariffs on dimensional softwood lumber stand at 45 per cent. (corroborated by 19 sources)
- Industry groups are requesting an increase in the annual economically viable harvest from 29 million to 45 million cubic metres. (corroborated by 19 sources)
- Richply, a plywood producer in Richmond, B. C., has halted sales to the U.S. due to Section 338 tariffs. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: B.C. forestry industry warns of ‘breaking point’ amid tariffs

B.C. forestry groups have warned the industry is at a ‘breaking point,’ demanding a provincial crisis group and an increased annual harvest of 45 million cubic metres to combat costs and U.S. tariffs.

63 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bc-forestry-industry-warns-of-breaking-point-in-letter-to-premier

### 2026-08-19: BC forest industry groups welcome pause on Canada-U.S. tariffs

The BC Council of Forest Industries and BC Lumber Trade Council welcomed a pause on Section 338 tariffs during Canada-U.S. trade talks, though they noted uncertainties regarding the softwood lumber dispute.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bc-forest-industry-groups-welcome-pause-on-canada-us-tariffs

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Cite as: British Columbia forestry industry economic crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/british-columbia-forestry-industry-economic-crisis