Vanderhoof mayor not optimistic about future of B.C. forestry

With Vanderhoof’s largest sawmill already shutting its doors due to sky-high U.S. tariffs, the city’s mayor says he is watching with trepidation to see whether the new American administration will make things harder on B.C.’s forestry industry — and he isn’t optimistic the federal government can do much to help.

Canfor announced back in September that it would be shuttering sawmills in Vanderhoof and Fort St. John because of the punitive tariffs that it expects will become much worse.

Mayor Kevin Moutray says it’s a business decision he understands. However, he isn’t happy with the idea that Canfor made its fortunes off of British Columbians, but they’re investing the profits elsewhere. He wants the province’s tenure program, which grants licenses to harvest wood, to tie those licences to particular areas or mills.

“If they choose to pack their bags and leave, that tenure should stay with British Columbians and mills that are operating here, not being sold, not going into more profits, so they can invest higher into the U.S. and Europe,” Moutray said.

He says that without a level playing field in the market, B.C.’s forestry sector will look increasingly unsustainable.

1130 NewsRadio has reached out to B.C.’s forest ministry for information on whether it is looking at any changes to that program.