Steelworkers Endorse B.C.'s Working Forest Model but Urge Swift Action

The United Steelworkers union (USW) has voiced support for the British Columbia government's proposed Working Forest Landscape Model, calling it a step in the right direction while stressing that action cannot be delayed amid continued closures and curtailments affecting forestry families.

Scott Lunny, USW Western Canada Director, said in a statement that the union and others have advocated for a clearly defined working forest for decades. "Government needs to move quickly to define the economic land base, increase the sustainable harvest and give workers and communities the certainty needed to rebuild our forest industry," Lunny said.

The proposed model establishes three management zones: Working Forest, Multiple Use, and Conservation and Protection. It aims to stabilize an economic land base that contributes to an annual harvest of 45 million cubic metres.

According to the USW, defining where B.C.'s working forest will be located is only part of the challenge. The province must also determine how access to fibre from that land will support domestic manufacturing and employment.

"These are public forests and a working forest needs to work for British Columbians," Lunny added. "Greater certainty around the land base and fibre supply should mean greater certainty that those resources support mills, investment and good jobs here in B.C."

The union, which represents close to 10,000 forestry workers in B.C., says workers must be directly involved in developing and implementing the model. Lunny emphasized the need for a balanced approach that protects conservation values, advances reconciliation, and recognizes forest workers as essential to the province.

Beyond the model itself, the USW is calling for a Forestry Jobs Protection Commissioner Act focused on preventing avoidable closures and preserving viable forestry jobs. The union also urges action to reduce regulatory burden and improve competitiveness amid ongoing U.S. duties and tariffs.

"There is no time to waste," Lunny said. "We need to secure a working forest, get fibre to local mills and pass a Forestry Jobs Protection Commissioner Act."

The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.