Albert Koehler: Forestry decline is a sign that we have to look forward

Who is to blame?

It is not just the political landscape that is changing but the picture of the altering economics must be seen through a new frame.

Much has been written already about our dwindling resources of timber and the impacted employment numbers.

Yes, it was somehow foreseeable, but the recent announcement of closures of the Canfor sawmill in Fort St. John and the big Plateau Mill in Vanderhoof clearly confirms that our forestry industry is in deep trouble. How come?

The steadily increasing tariffs along with relatively high taxes and stumpage fees cause lumber producers to not be competitive anymore.

The government’s fault? Yes. If corporations cannot earn enough money to invest and stay alive, they must close.

No doubt, wildfires and pine beetles have contributed to timber shortages, as well as wrong forest management and policies.

Without analyzing all the different factors that are leading to sawmill closures, it is difficult to understand why we were unable to establish a secondary manufacturing industry, a wood value-adding industry.

Why has that been neglected or been forgotten?  No, it has been neglected! How can that happen, where we have the so much praised Wood Innovation and Design Centre, which was originally planned to be much bigger.

Well, the centre alone cannot do it, instead many instructors and professors would have to be hired, and the wonderful classroom of the centre be filled with students. Education and new ideas could have contributed to a flourishing wood industry.

Can we blame the government again? Yes, because sufficient funds could not be allotted to the new program without drawing much-needed professors from other programs.

Also, a huge expensive advertising campaign and recruitment program would have been required to attract students, also considering that the Master’s program has been offered already when no engineering undergraduate program was available at UNBC.

Yes, there is some minor action happening at the Wood Innovation and Design Centre, but with currently only seven students not much can be expected, unfortunately.

Considering the downwards sloping forestry industry, who then is prepared to invest in new ideas and wood added manufacturing?
Although right now is the best time to get involved, which unfortunately is a catch-22 because we clearly need people first who can do it and have the education to get involved.

The government’s fault again? Yes, although not alone. Already more than 10 years ago many publications did focus on occupations that are in high demand. And just to be clear, a degree in historical English was not part of that list because it is not beneficial for the Central Interior!

The highest in-demand occupations have been listed as engineers, as well as computer and IT professions. Respective recommendations from the Ministry of Education and other linked organizations/institutions have been forwarded to colleges and universities, which included our local University of Northern BC, as an “in the North for the North” university.

Again, a nationwide student recruitment program is required to boost our student numbers up to the designed capacity.

I strongly recommend our city together with our university and the college to organize a conference titled: “Our Economic Future” focusing on the Central Interior future only and not on the “now.”

Albert Koehler, P.Eng. is a former city councillor.