Make More in B.C. project will protect, create forestry jobs

Press Release

May 12, 2026

WEST KELOWNA –

Summary

Funding will help unlock fibre and create predictability in the forest sector, a response to calls from industry to provide a sustainable future for forestry
The Make More in B.C. project aims to create more forestry jobs and generate more value from local B.C. wood products
This announcement builds on British Columbia’s foundational industry that is the third largest exporter of softwood lumber in the world with more than 2,000 facilities, nearly 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, and nearly $13 billion in GDP

A $2-million grant from the Province to FPInnovations will lay the groundwork to help support the development of economic hubs intended to support and grow the forestry sector.

The Make More in B.C. project will support B.C.’s wood products, from mass timber to the pulp and paper products most sought after in the market, globally and domestically. Economic hubs are at the heart of the Make More in B.C initiative, fostering regional collaboration, connecting local manufacturers with local contractors and First Nations partners, unlocking fibre and forging new opportunities.

“On the ground in forest-dependent communities, we’ve heard it loud and clear: Forestry needs predictable access to fibre, more local logs going to local mills, to create more jobs,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “The Make More in B.C. project is about building a stronger, more resilient forest sector that is never again dependent on a single trading partner like the United States. We cannot allow forestry workers and communities to remain vulnerable to duties, tariffs, and global uncertainty. We need to make more in B.C., create more jobs in B.C., and build a future that keeps more value here at home.”

The Province will support forestry sector businesses, which understand their own needs and the needs of their local forest economy, by empowering them through economic hubs, giving them the tools to work together on long-term strategies and solutions, to get local logs to local mills, get paycheques to workers, and to get wood products to markets in B.C. and beyond.

As part of the Make More in B.C. project, this grant will create jobs industry in working collaboratively across the forestry sector and with government to unlock more value from B.C.’s forestry supply chain.

Early success story in Okanagan shows collaboration works

Nick Arkle, CEO with West Kelowna’s Gorman Group, recently found success with this innovative concept of sector-specific economic hubs, bringing a group of like-minded forestry colleagues together in March 2026 as the first example of how this work can benefit B.C. businesses.

In addition to strengthening wood processing, manufacturing and new business opportunities, these collaborative initiatives will help find predictable fibre supply in the province and build on work happening across government to create predictable fibre supply for generations to come.

The groundwork Arkle has laid through his Merritt-based working group, sets the foundation for British Columbia’s first official economic hub in the Merritt Timber Supply Area.

“This cluster initiative is about a region finding the delicate balance between long-term generational stewardship on the land and economic, social and cultural interests,” Arkle said. “With First Nations and communities guiding the stewardship portion the goal is to seek greater security of a sustainable and affordable fibre flow that will, in turn, encourage investment and innovation to produce higher value end products along with additional products such as wood residues into the forest-based bio economy.”

The Province will advance and champion the Make More in B.C. Project by providing data and co-ordination support to help industry collaborators reduce barriers, find new partners and leverage federal or provincial supports where possible.

“Through the Make More in B.C. project, we’re building a stronger and more competitive value-add economy defined by world-class wood products,” Parmar said. “The same products that will ensure B.C. can compete in global markets and win.”

This funding supports the Province’s Look West strategy and its goal to triple the amount of B.C. wood used in construction by 2030.

Look West is the Province’s plan designed to deliver major projects, strengthen B.C.’s and Canada’s economic security in the face of economic threats, and create good jobs and opportunities for people to train for careers in the skilled trades.

Quotes:

Lennard (Lenny) Joe, CEO, First Nations Forestry Council –

“First Nations are essential partners in building the future of British Columbia’s forest sector. Economic clusters need to reflect the form and function of each region’s unique forest ecosystem, and that means they will look different across the province. To achieve this effectively, it will take all of us, First Nations, industry, and government, working together in true collaboration. I see tremendous opportunity for our Nations to invest, innovate, and help shape what is best for our communities and regions.”

Stephane Renou, president and CEO, FPInnovations –

“As the forest sector navigates complex economic conditions across Canada, FPInnovations is proud to partner with the British Columbia Ministry of Forests to identify options for regional integration and advancement of the forest sector.”

Quick Facts:

FPInnovations is private, non-profit Canadian research and development organization with the mandate to support forest sector competitiveness and transformation throughout Canada.
To identify Regional Economic Hub opportunities throughout British Columbia, FPInnovations will contribute its expertise in industrial infrastructure, techno-economics, fibre supply, and transport networks.
It will leverage its network and regional stakeholders to identify pathways that can provide sector and community resiliency going forward.

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