Canada's forestry industry needs transformation to address falling revenues

The article reports that Canada's forestry revenues and harvesting levels have fallen and that the authors propose building modern pulp mills and biorefineries to create demand for wood residuals.

Canada's forest sector has seen lower revenues and reduced harvesting in recent years. British Columbia's budget projects forestry revenues of $521 million, down from $1.3 billion in 2020–21, the article notes. Contributors point to record wildfires, renewed U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber and falling demand for paper as key pressures on the sector. Federal measures announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney include support for the lumber industry, a goal to double housing starts and the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force. Key points: - Forestry revenues and harvesting levels in Canada have declined, with B.C. revenues cited as falling from $1.3 billion to $521 million. - The article lists record wildfires, U.S. softwood lumber tariffs and reduced demand for paper products as central challenges. - Prime Minister Mark Carney announced support measures for lumber, a target to double housing starts and the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force. - The authors propose investing in modern pulp mills and biorefineries to create markets for wood chips and bark and to produce higher-value bio-based products. Summary: The article frames these measures as a path to create demand for residual wood and to shift the industry toward higher-value products. The announced Task Force and proposed investments are intended to guide that transformation, and next concrete steps are undetermined at this time.