Mid-island Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osborne says as the government looks to reduce harvesting old growth trees, Port Alberni is well positioned to take advantage of what she says is an inevitable shift.
“There’s a lot of changes that need to take place,” she said. “I think we’re seeing companies like the SAN Group that are really focussed on using all wood available and transforming the way that they use it and build products that are suitable for countries all over the world and increasing opportunities like that.”
Osborne said she has been meeting with local forest industry leaders and families, and is encouraged by the greater role of First Nations in the Alberni Valley forest economy.
“This is a shift that we have to make, and it’s really important for people to understand that the government is here to support families and communities as this change takes place,” she said. “People aren’t going to be abandoned.”
Osborne says the plan to return to a dedicated forests ministry shows the importance of the forestry sector to the provincial government.
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