(VANCOUVER, BC) – February 17, 2026 – Kim Haakstad, President & CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI), issued the following statement today in response to the Government of British Columbia’s 2026 Provincial Budget:
“As the province navigates significant fiscal and economic challenges, the forest sector continues to face intense pressure. We welcome Budget 2026’s recognition of the urgent crisis facing the forest sector and the government’s plan to make targeted investments that support the sector today while building a more resilient future.
We are concerned about the budget’s plan for a harvest level of 29 million cubic metres over the next three years—a figure that sits well below the province’s own Allowable Annual Cut (AAC) of approximately 60 million cubic metres. The sector’s immediate survival depends on increasing the harvest level through predictable and economic access to wood. We look forward to working with the government to strengthen and modernize forestry management approaches that unlock wood supply and improve global competitiveness.
Working together we can reverse the trend of mill closures and rising costs of doing business so forestry can continue to contribute to the well-being of families and communities across the province. The forest sector stands as a ready partner to deliver on the very priorities identified in this budget: building more homes with low-carbon, locally produced wood products and generating the wealth needed to fund core public services.
Forestry actively supports BC’s economic security. Advancing Forestry as a Major Project will provide the momentum needed to strengthen and rebuild the industry. By working toward an annual harvest of 45 million cubic metres, the province can realize significant benefits:
- Retain skilled workers in their home communities, reducing the need for retraining or relocation.
- Protect critical infrastructure, including primary sawmills, pulp mills, and wood product manufacturing facilities that form the backbone of regional economies.
- Generate almost $600 million in additional annual revenue for the government to help manage the provincial deficit.
- Expand opportunities for economic reconciliation with First Nations partners through shared prosperity, equity, and increased revenue sharing.
- Enhance ecosystem health through innovative forest management practices that support wildfire resilience and biodiversity protection.
We look forward to working with the government to ensure forestry remains a cornerstone of a strong, self-reliant BC economy.”
(end)
Media Contact:
Travis Joern, Director of Communications, COFI – Joern@cofi.org