Province invests $69 million for forest worker support programs

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“It’s a tried and true method of evaluating that, and I say tried and true because it’s been the main reason that we’ve won in the courts around our appeals in the softwood lumber disagreement,” Donaldson told the media.

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Donaldson said to intervene in their market based stumpage system now would be very risky as they have appeals in front of international courts with the softwood lumber dispute.

The measures were developed in meetings involving Premier John Horgan, Forests Minister Donaldson, along with the chief executive officers of the major Interior forest companies.

The measures include:

• $40 million to establish a new cost-shared, early-retirement bridging program for older forest workers;
• $15 million to establish a new short-term forest employment program, focused on fire prevention and community resiliency projects;
• $12 million for workers to access skills training, and for employer and community grants for training;
• $2 million to establish a new job placement co-ordination office that will track the transition and employment of impacted forest workers on an individual basis; and
• Community support grants aimed at providing short-term assistance to communities more profoundly impacted by the closure of a major forest employer.

“We appreciate the province recognizing these supportive measures needed for impacted workers as industry adapts to declining timber supply. This funding for workers’ support aligns with our efforts at West Fraser to ensure continuing employment and opportunity for our hard-working employees and their families as industry works together with government on longer-term solutions to our current challenges,” said Ray Ferris, CEO, West Fraser.

“The Public and Private Workers of Canada stands with the provincial government today. In doing so, we recognize the value of what is being offered to the people of rural British Columbia. It was through communication, co-operation and compassion with and for the affected forestry workers and the communities they call home that relief will be forthcoming. We will continue to work to save jobs, but have to be realistic with the situation at hand and help people transition in a changed landscape. This funding announced today is just a start in the effort needed to accomplish this transition,” said Gary Fiege, president, Public and Private Workers of Canada.

“Taking this step to support workers and their families is the right thing for the B.C. government to do. Forestry workers are facing enormous challenges across the Interior right now and we know that with the right supports for these workers and with the right investments by corporations, the forestry sector can rise to meet these challenges and be a vital part of our sustainable future,” said Gavin McGarrigle, western regional director, Unifor.