Unions and environmentalists have launched a push-back against Mosaic Forest Products, as the forest giant is lobbying government to reduce restrictions on raw log exports.
Unifor, PPWC, and the Wilderness Committee say the private managed forest lands company is asking governments to drop the provision that allows coastal mills to block raw log exports when they are in need of fibre supply.
Ben Parfitt, a resource policy analyst with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says Canada needs to further restrict raw log exports, and not open the door wider.
He says Mosaic claims they get a higher price for logs from foreign manufacturers than they do from domestic mills, but won’t say what those prices are.
Parfitt said while only a few companies have stood up to Mosaic and prevented some exports in the past, the San Group is well positioned to subvert BC’s largest raw log exporter since opening their new small log mill in Port Alberni, which needs the same type of logs that have been the bulk of exports to foreign mills.
He says if BC logs were milled here, the coastal forest industry would see an additional 3600 jobs created.
Unifor, PPWC and the Wilderness Committee are working to counter Mosaic’s efforts in Ottawa.
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