Marketrend Poll Shows BC Supports the Forest Industry

A new poll by the respected market research firm MarkTrend shows British Columbians to be encouragingly savvy about the importance of forestry in their lives.

When asked to define provincial priorities over all, those polled place the protection of the environment and the encouragement of a healthy forest industry side by side at the top of the list.

When it came to the importance of forestry to the provincial economy, 99 per cent said it was at least somewhat important. Fully 84 per cent of respondents found it at least very important and 33 per cent said it was essential (which we at COFI think is no less than the truth).

Perhaps the most encouraging results, however, came in response to questions about the encouragement of industry, the apparent conflict between industry and the environment, and the damaging effect of boycott campaigns in the international community.

On the question of supporting government policies that will make BC forestry more competitive, a significant number of respondents understood and endorsed the complex changes that are most needed, even without an explanation. But those polled were also clear in their demand that the forest industry stand to account when it comes to environmental protection. (They should ask no less).

There seems, though, to be little patience for a jobs-versus-the-environment battle: 74 per cent of respondents said they wanted environmental issues resolved, but not with a haste that would put forestry employees out of work.

Finally, a solid majority (65 per cent) said government and industry should work together to fight international boycotts of B.C.'s wood products. Obviously, most British Columbians understand that today's forest industry has as much respect for the environment as they do.

marktrendreport.pdf