Rick Jeffrey
Coast Forest Forest Products Association
As we get set to put the finishing touches on 2013 in just a few weeks, it’s a good time to take stock of one of British Columbia’s most important industries – about where it is and where we’d like to see it go.
The latest studies by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Coast Forest Products Association have unveiled an exciting snapshot of where coast forestry is today. It reveals a people-focussed industry that has undergone exciting transformations and emerged dynamic, modern, sustainable and high-tech. We pride ourselves on being highly integrated across industries with our member companies offering a plethora of opportunities that positively impact the lifestyles and livelihoods of thousands of British Columbians.
Above all, Coast Forest member companies are people-focussed, paying more than $373 million per year in salaries with surveyed companies paying an average of $40/hour in wages and benefits to their employees. An estimated 38,000 people in communities throughout BC rely on a healthy coastal forest industry for their jobs (direct, indirect, induced) – and this includes an estimated 5,735 direct jobs from contract logging. Further, coastal forestry in B.C. supports an important and valuable manufacturing sector in our province. More than 3,100 people work in over 100 companies producing value-added solid wood products like flooring, architectural woodwork and cabinets while 2700 people work directly for pulp and paper companies that manufacture newsprint, specialty paper and other products.
As a stabilizing influence central to the health of our communities, we’re planning for the future. The coast forest products industry accounts for approximately 11 per cent of GDP in coastal B.C. and comprises an estimated 10 per cent of total jobs. We’re investing in our people and in innovation with more than $543 million put into mill upgrades, new equipment, and skills training over the past five years.
Our snapshot tells a story about connection, integration and a plan for growing a bright future.
So as we look ahead to 2014, we intend to continue our work with government and build on the momentum of transformation.
Rick Jeffrey is President and CEO of the Coast Forest Products Association