More than 100 logging truckers with their equipment converged on Vancouver to make a statement.ย That statement saying the Forestry sector is hurting big time.ย
Most of the truckers in forestry are contractors with hundreds of thousands invested in their equipment to move the forestry economy.ย ย
Recent government actions, or non actions, have caused rifts in the worldwide marketplace and some big users of Canadian wood products like China have imposed punishing tariffs which has dropped the need for lumber significantly. ย
The U.S. continues to impose a 20% tariff on Canadian softwood lumber imports.ย Lumber prices are currently half of what they were a year ago, meaning the economically available timber supply in B.C.โs interior is substantially less, according to David Elstone, executive director of the Truck Loggers Association (TLA).
Another issue impacting the logging sector in B.C. is the decimation of pine trees due to the mountain pine beetle, as well as forest fires.
The B.C. government did pledge $69 million to fund a new series of measures aimed at supporting provincial forest workers impacted by mill closures and shift reductions.
Source:ย Various Global News Reportsย
