New employment opportunities support forestry workers
Press Release
Nov. 6, 2022
VICTORIA – More employment opportunities are underway for contractors and forestry workers throughout rural B.C. under the Province’s Forest Employment Program (FEP).
“We know that changes and downturns can be hard on communities that rely on the forestry sector, and our government is there for them,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “That’s why we’re funding important local projects in collaboration with rural communities and First Nations to help forestry workers seeking new opportunities in their local community.”
From January until March 2022, the Government of B.C. provided $2 million for 41 FEP projects that are now complete or nearing completion. Projects included grading, brushing and improving forest service roads, including improving accessibility; environmental damage repairs; improving and building recreation sites and trails; and capacity-building projects.
The Province has invested $30 million since the FEP was created in 2019, supporting more than 315 projects that have created more than 840 employment opportunities for British Columbians in rural communities and First Nations.
The program is completing a new round of projects to be funded through the Province’s $185-million support package to help British Columbians affected by old growth deferrals, of which, up to $27.5 million is allocated to the FEP over three years.
“As someone who has worked in the forest sector, I know personally how important forestry is for rural communities throughout the province,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests. “The Forest Employment Program is keeping forestry workers in the industry and creating jobs, while also benefiting communities and their local economies.”
The FEP provides employment opportunities for forestry contractors and workers affected by mill curtailments, old-growth deferrals and other impacts to the sector. For example, contractor Alma Vant Schip has benefited from two rounds of FEP funding.
“As a north Island contractor and resident, I have appreciated the projects and jobs that I have worked on. In particular, Port Alice, where I live, has been affected by a mill closure and a downturn in the forest industry,” said Vant Schip. “The Forest Employment Program projects have given jobs and opened up roads for locals and tourists to access the west coast.”
To further support people in the sector, government recently announced the Forestry Worker Supports and Community Resiliency Council. The council will advise the Province about improvements to existing programs and the development of new, forward-looking initiatives to support forestry workers and the economic resiliency of rural communities.
Building resilient communities is a key action of the StrongerBC Economic Plan, helping move British Columbia forward by tackling the challenges of today while growing an economy that works for everyone.
Quotes:
Roly Russell, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural and Regional Development –
“People in B.C.’s forest sector have worked for generations in and around our forests to build the province we call home, and the sector supports families in communities across B.C. Projects funded through the Forest Employment Program support the forest values our rural residents care about and benefit people with improved access to recreation sites, new and better trails, safer roads and wildfire mitigation projects. All of these projects help keep people working while building a more resilient and Stronger B.C.”
Todd Chamberlain, general manager, Interior Logging Association –
“The Interior Logging Association is appreciative of all the support that the Forest Employment Program has provided to contractors, their employees and to the communities. We are looking forward to seeing increased benefits for our members as the program continues to evolve.”
Learn More:
Learn about the StrongerBC Economic Plan: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/plan
Learn about the Forest Employment Program: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/supports-for-forestry-workers/short-term-forest-employment-program
Learn about forestry workers and community supports: https://forestryworkersupport.gov.bc.ca/
Learn about the Forestry Worker Supports and Community Resiliency Council and its members: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/supports-for-forestry-workers/forestry-worker-supports-and-community-resiliency-council
Seven backgrounders follow.
Contact:
Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
Media Relations
250 893-3705
BACKGROUNDER 1
Facts about supports for forestry workers
- Budget 2022 included $185 million over three years to provide co-ordinated and comprehensive supports for forestry workers, industry, communities and First Nations that may be affected by new restrictions on old growth logging.
- The funding is expanding and enhancing existing programs:
- Forest Employment Program – creating employment opportunities for forestry contractors and their employees on small-scale infrastructure projects.
- Skills Training for Job Pathways – connecting workers with skills training and educational opportunities.
- Rural Business and Community Recovery Initiative – funding to hire advisers to support rural businesses and communities with strategic decision-making
- Community Transition Rapid Response Team – delivering on-the-ground economic development and community support services.
- Bridging to Retirement – providing as much as $75,000 to eligible forestry workers and contractors 55 or older to transition to retirement and helping open up jobs for younger workers.
- New programs are also being developed that will support innovation in manufacturing and value-added forestry, as well as supports for rural infrastructure and economic development.
Contact:
Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
Media Relations
250 893-3705
BACKGROUNDER 2
Forest Employment Projects FY2021-22 – Cariboo region
Yunesit’in housing project – FEP funding: $236,515.78
District of Quesnel forest service road snow plowing – FEP funding: $23,245.69
100B forest service road realignment – FEP funding: $19,987.83
3400 forest service road improvement – FEP funding: $71,411.29
Contact:
Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
Media Relations
250 893-3705
BACKGROUNDER 3
Forest Employment Projects FY2021-22 – West Coast region
Campbell River District Ever Bridge guard rail installation – FEP funding: $14,694
Chinikundl forest service road stabilization – FEP funding: $13,950
Fair Harbour forest service road maintenance – FEP funding: $369,273.41
Honna forest service roaddaylighting – FEP funding: $45,050
Klaskino and Mahatta O’Connell Lake Area forest service road brushing, ditching and grading – FEP funding: $49,994
Klaskino and Mahatta O’Connell Lake Area forest service road brushing, ditching and grading – FEP funding: $30,000
Ledge Point forest service road grading and culvert – FEP funding: $15,000
Ledge Point forest service road grading and culvert – FEP funding: $20,000
Maggie forest service road Br. 03 culvert replacement and slide clean up – FEP funding: $55,454
Maggie forest service road grading – FEP funding: $13,900
Moresby forest service road maintenance – FEP funding: $57,000
North Island Central Coast (NICC) district wide “as and when” grading – FEP funding: $19,977
North Island Central Coast (NICC) distict wide “and and when” grading – FEP funding: $30,000
Raft, Ronning and Mack Jack River forest service roads brushing and grading – FEP funding: $59,394
Salt Marsh forest service road accessibility – FEP funding: $19,790
Salt Marsh forest service road accessibility – FEP funding: $20,000
Sanjo forest service road, Swan Lake brushing and ditching – FEP funding: $20,000
Sanjo forest service road, Swan Lake brushing and ditching – FEP funding: $70,000
Sombrio, Minute Creek and Hill 60 forest service road grading – FEP funding: $11,625
Smugglers forest service road brushing, grading and ditching – FEP funding: $28,155
Smugglers forest service road brushing, grading and ditching – FEP funding: $30,000
Vernon forest service road brushing, grading and ditching – FEP funding: $24,999
Vernon forest service road brushing, grading and ditching – FEP funding: $15,000
Zeballos forest service road maintenance – FEP funding: $85,269
Zeballos forest service road works – FEP funding: $70,000
Contact:
Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
Media Relations
250 893-3705
BACKGROUNDER 4
Forest Employment Projects FY2021-22 – South Coast region
Levette Lake forest service road maintenance – FEP funding: $15,000
Lillooet West forest service road slide clean up – FEP funding: $45,815
Miller Bench forest service road lift – FEP funding: $53,991
Pemberton forest service road lift – FEP funding: $19,998
Squamish River forest service road environmental damage repairs – FEP funding: $20,000
Contact:
Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
Media Relations
250 893-3705
BACKGROUNDER 5
Forest Employment Projects FY2021-22 – Thompson Okanagan region
Gollen forest service road riprap works – FEP funding: $32,000
Jamieson forest service road improvements – FEP funding: $90,000
Kamloops Region forest service road snow plowing – FEP funding: $25,000
West Pavilion forest service road snow plowing – FEP funding: $99,020
Contact:
Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
Media Relations
250 893-3705
BACKGROUNDER 6
Forest Employment Projects FY2021-22 – Kootenay Boundary region
Rocky Mountian District forest service road snow plow – FEP funding: $13,337
Contact:
Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
Media Relations
250 893-3705
BACKGROUNDER 7
Forest Employment Projects FY2021-22 – Omineca region
Prince George District forest service road maintenance – FEP funding: $30,000
Stuart Nechako District North Road maintenance – FEP funding: $36,154
Contact:
Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
Media Relations
250 893-3705
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