BC Chamber of Commerce Statement on Announcement by Canfor

In response to yesterday’s announcement by Canfor, that it will close its Plateau and Fort St. John operations in northern British Columbia, Fiona Famulak, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement:

“We know that difficult decisions like these are not taken lightly. At the same time, we know the impacts are going to be borne predominantly by workers, families, communities, and the thousands of people across our province, who rely on the forestry sector for their livelihoods. Yesterday’s news is therefore very difficult to hear.

The BC Chamber of Commerce has been raising concerns about the cost of doing business in British Columbia for many years. The fact is, in this province, costs are too high for businesses to thrive and to attract the investment needed to maintain profitable operations and employment, especially in our resource dependent communities.

Furthermore, permitting delays, excessive regulatory burdens and challenges accessing our natural resources are hindering investment opportunities.

Businesses need regulatory certainty and consistency to plan and invest with confidence. Our recent poll shows that 65% of employers believe that recent provincial regulatory changes are creating investment uncertainty while 64% are considering relocating their business out of BC due to the uncertainty. The reality is, we are seeing capital being allocated to other jurisdictions and not enough being done to attract investment here at home.

The BC Chamber of Commerce will continue to advocate strongly to government for policies and measures that reduce the cost of doing business and create regulatory certainty in B.C., so that businesses and communities across our province can thrive and contribute to the well-being of all British Columbians.”