MLA Critiques Appointment of New Forestry Innovation Chair

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Ward Stamer has expressed strong criticism regarding the recent appointment of Rick Doman as the new chair of the Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) Board. Stamer, serving as the Official Opposition Caucus Shadow Minister for Forests, stated, “British Columbians don’t need another announcement; they need results,” highlighting a growing frustration with the provincial government’s approach to forestry issues.

The FII, established in 2003, operates as a Crown agency dedicated to the market development of forest products in British Columbia. While Stamer acknowledged Doman’s extensive background in the forestry industry, which spans over 40 years, he criticized the appointment as insufficient to address the pressing challenges facing the sector. “This does nothing to fix the deep-rooted crises the sector faces, such as mill closures, slumping harvest volumes, regulatory paralysis, and the steady erosion of family-supporting forestry jobs,” Stamer remarked.

Stamer’s comments reflect a broader concern about the government’s commitment to resolving these issues. He likened the situation to “shuffling chairs on the Titanic,” emphasizing that without political will, even the most qualified board chair cannot rectify the systemic problems. “Communities are desperate for action; instead, we get another NDP press release while sawmills close and workers are forced to leave their hometowns,” he added.

In a recent news release, the Ministry of Forests highlighted Doman’s experience, noting he began his career in his family’s lumber operation and later founded EACOM Timber Corporation. He also co-founded GreenFirst Forest Products, West Kitikmeot Resources, and Boreal Carbon Corporation. These credentials were presented as a strong foundation for his new role, yet Stamer remains unconvinced of their relevance to the current forestry crisis.

The BC Conservatives Caucus has called on the provincial government to undertake several critical actions, including delivering the long-promised review of BC Timber Sales (BCTS) and providing updates on the Forestry Advisory Council’s initiatives. They urge the government to address permitting backlogs, stabilize timber supply for mills, and develop a concrete plan to protect forestry jobs in affected communities.

In response to the criticism, the Ministry of Forests indicated that more details regarding the BCTS review would be forthcoming. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar stated in an email to the North Thompson Star Journal that the ministry has received a report from the BCTS Task Force and is currently reviewing its recommendations. He expressed gratitude for the task force’s efforts, which included over 300 submissions from the public.

Minister Parmar also emphasized the significant role of British Columbia in the global lumber market, noting that the province is the second-largest exporter of softwood lumber worldwide. “That’s a testament to the strength, resilience, and innovation of forestry workers and communities,” he remarked. He cited challenges such as “unfair” rising softwood lumber duties, shifting market conditions, and the lasting repercussions of wildfires as ongoing issues that the government must address.

Parmar reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting jobs, supporting communities, and ensuring long-term sustainability in the forestry sector. He stated, “I’m working every day with First Nations, industry, and the entire sector to build a forestry future that delivers for people, protects our forests, and drives economic prosperity for generations to come.”

Stamer concluded with a call for more decisive action, asserting that forestry has been a foundational industry in British Columbia. “It deserves better than endless delays and empty announcements. The NDP has to stop governing by press release and start delivering the results they promised.”