COFI Convention to Focus on the Future of Forestry in BC
Local, provincial, Indigenous, and forestry leaders gather in Prince George to address challenges and chart solutions for the forest sector.
Vancouver, BC (March 31, 2025): This week, the BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) will welcome more than 600 industry, government, and Indigenous leaders to Prince George for a sold-out COFI 2025 Convention, running April 2-4. As one of the largest annual gatherings of the forest sector in Western Canada, the convention focuses on urgent challenges facing the industry—and the path forward.
Attendees are set to explore how the sector can respond to rising US tariffs, global trade uncertainty and regulatory complexity. Discussions will center on strategies to improve industry competitiveness, strengthen partnerships with First Nations and sustain local jobs, while positioning BC as a global leader in sustainable forestry.
“The forest sector is facing unprecedented challenges—but with collaboration and innovation, there is a path forward,” said Kim Haakstad, President and CEO of COFI. “This year’s convention will bring together leaders to discuss how we can strengthen our industry’s resilience, increase access to sustainable wood supply, and compete successfully on the world stage.”
A highlight of the convention will be the release of a new study comparing international forest jurisdictions by Glen O’Kelly, CEO of O’Kelly Acumen, benchmarking BC’s performance against leading forestry regions—including Sweden, Finland, Austria, the US, and Brazil. The study outlines BC’s strengths and weaknesses and provides practical recommendations to improve competitiveness. The findings will be presented alongside an economic outlook of BC’s forest sector by Kurt Niquidet, Vice President and Chief Economist at COFI.
Addressing Wood Supply and Trade Challenges
Predictable access to wood remains the most pressing concern for BC’s forest sector. Panel presentations will discuss how innovative approaches to better wildfire management, collaborative land use planning, and deeper partnerships with First Nations can unlock opportunities to meet a target of harvesting 45 million cubic meters of wood annually, while protecting ecosystems and supporting local economies. Without a reliable wood supply, BC risks falling behind global competitors and losing family-supporting jobs across the province.
With trade uncertainties looming, the convention will also examine how BC can strengthen the sector to respond to the double jeopardy of rising softwood lumber duties and new tariffs. A panel on “The Next Four Years: Canada-US Relations and Forest Products Trade” will address dynamics with our southern neighbor, with insights from Glen Clark, Chair of BC Hydro and former Premier of BC, the Honourable James Moore, Senior Advisor at Edelman and former Federal Minister of Industry, and Mark Cameron, Fellow and Lead, Canada-US Relations Strategy at the Public Policy Forum, moderated by Corinne Stavness, Vice President, Corporate Affairs at Western Forest Products.
Leadership Perspectives
Delegates will hear from BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee on advancing Indigenous partnerships and reconciliation in the forest sector.
The Honourable Ravi Parmar, BC Minister of Forests will outline the provincial government’s vision for the future of forestry in the province. He’ll also join a panel on “Leadership in Turbulent Times” with Vancouver City Councillor Lisa Dominato, Chief Councillor John Jack of Huu-ay-aht First Nation, and Juan Carlos Bueno, President and CEO of Mercer International.
Lennard Joe, CEO of the BC First Nations Forestry Council and Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, will take part in a panel focused on real-world solutions integrating conservation financing, Indigenous consultation, third-party certification, and attracting a new generation of forestry workers to the sector.
The convention will also feature a keynote address by former Governor of the State of Oregon John Kitzhaber, on lessons we can apply across the Pacific Northwest on how sustainable forest management can support local economic development and address broader issues like homelessness and housing.
Additional voices from across BC include Jennifer Gunter, Executive Director of the BC Community Forest Association and BC Treaty Commissioner and former Minister George Abbott. They will join a discussion focused on aligning wood supply strategies and policy changes with climate change adaptation and efforts to address trade pressures.
Through expert presentations, meaningful dialogue, and a sold-out trade show, the 2025 COFI Convention will help chart a course toward a competitive, sustainable, and inclusive future for the forest sector—one that continues to support jobs, communities, and the economy across British Columbia.
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The detailed convention program is available online here.
Media contacts:
Travis Joern, Director of Communications, COFI
778-846-3465, joern@cofi.org