The BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) represents the majority of lumber, pulp and paper, and manufactured wood producers across the province – an industry that remains a cornerstone of the economy, supporting good jobs and a better quality of life for British Columbians.

COFI advocates for the interests of its members and works with government, First Nations, communities, labour and other partners to promote a healthy, diversified and sustainable forest industry that benefits people and families across BC.

As BC’s forest industry continues to adapt and evolve, our vision is to be a globally competitive forest sector that continues to deliver low-carbon products that are good for the planet and is a model for the world in environmental care, product innovation and technological advances.

To achieve this vision, we recognize our environmental, social, governance and economic performance must reflect the evolving priorities of our communities of interests, including employees, communities, Indigenous Peoples, supply chain partners, customers, shareholders, investors and governments.

Guiding us in the work we do each day is our Statement of Sustainability Commitments and Statement on Reconciliation.

    Community Relations & Indigenous Partnerships
    Community Relations

    BC’s forest sector has long been the cornerstone of the economy, supporting good jobs and healthy communities across the province. Strong relationships between industry and community are vitally important to us. COFI supports our members in maintaining dialogue with communities, sharing important information about forestry activities and working to understand community priorities and concerns.

    Indigenous Partnerships

    Indigenous communities are vital to BC’s forest sector as owners, business stewardship partners and employees. Many Nations are licensees and engage in unique partnerships with COFI member companies including through joint ventures and tenure, co-management and reconciliation protocol agreements – playing a critical role in the governance and stewardship of forest lands and resources. Indigenous-affiliated contractors and entrepreneurs are also providing logging, road construction, firefighting, silviculture as well as other services and supplies. Additionally, more than 5,300 Indigenous people are directly employed in forestry, contributing skills, knowledge and know-how across the sector.

    COFI and our members are proud of the relationships we have established over many years, but we know there is more work to do. Read our Statement on Reconciliation to learn more about our commitment to working to support reconciliation and growing Indigenous participation in the forest industry.

    Outreach and Communications

    COFI provides a voice for the B.C. forest sector by engaging with stakeholders, communities and media to provide current information about the industry. Through COFI’s Annual Convention, which hosts the largest gathering of the forest sector in Western Canada, to public and community presentations, as well as COFI’s website and social media, COFI provides up-to-date information about key issues, challenges and opportunities of the B.C. forest sector.

    Forest Education
    We believe that our people are one of our greatest assets. COFI’s Forest Education Program pairs our Forest Education Manager with educators and mills in B.C.’s interior to teach secondary students about B.C.’s rich, world-class forest resources and forestry issues, as well as expanding students’ awareness of the diverse career opportunities in the forest industry.
    Government Relations & Policy
    COFI works with all three levels of government to promote a healthy, diversified, market-based industry. COFI advocates for effective policies and regulations that maintain forest sector competitiveness in a global marketplace and that support environmental sustainability and forest health. COFI’s areas of focus are forest health, forest policy, climate change, workforce, environment and wildlife.
    Overseas Market Development
    The B.C. forest industry supplies high-quality B.C. wood to countries across the globe. COFI’s market access and trade division has built and nurtured strong trading relationships with the China, Japan and Europe, and is seeking new opportunities in South Korea, India and Southeast Asia. COFI coordinates all of its market access and trade activities with the Canada Wood Group, a coalition of Canadian industry trade associations.
    Quality Control
    COFI’s field staff of experienced quality control supervisors are highly respected for their knowledge and integrity in the supervision of lumber production, grading and grade marking. COFI is accredited by the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) and the Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board (CLSAB), among other organizations, to provide lumber inspection, certification and grade marking in accordance with the provisions of both organizations.

    COFI – JAS Impartiality Policy

    Sustainability

    COFI member companies strive to be a globally competitive forest sector that is a model for the world in product innovation, technological advances and environmental care – supporting skilled jobs and communities in BC. To achieve this vision, our members recognize our environmental, social, governance and economic performance must reflect the evolving priorities of communities of interest including employees, communities, Indigenous peoples, supply chain partners, customers, shareholders, investors and governments.

    Guiding COFI and our members in the work we do each day is our Statement of Sustainability Commitments

    Board of Directors

    COFI is governed by a Board of Directors who provide strategic direction to the organization. Board members are chief executives at their respective companies

    Board Members
    Greg Stewart, Sinclar Group Forest Products Ltd., Chair
    John Mohammed, A&A Trading Ltd., Vice Chair
    Nick Arkle, Gorman Bros.
    Mike Blosser, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation
    Juan Carlos Bueno, Mercer International
    Rob Gough, Mosaic Forest Management
    David Graham, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited
    Steven Hofer, Western Forest Products
    Thomas Hoffman, Kruger Inc.
    Dick Jones, Teal Jones Group
    Don Kayne, Canfor Corporation
    Bill Kordyban, Carrier Lumber Ltd.
    Sean McLaren, West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.
    Rob Novak, Dunkley Lumber Ltd.
    Randy Schillinger, Babine Forest Products Ltd.
    Ken Shields, CONIFEX Timber Inc.
    Chris Stagg, Paper Excellence

    Members

    The member companies that COFI represents range from some of the largest publicly-traded companies to mid-sized companies, family-owned companies and smaller niche operators. In addition to corporate members, COFI also provides Quality Control services to a broader group of companies.

    Stay current. Sign up for regular email updates from the team at COFI.

     
    MEET OUR MEMBERS
    BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI)

    TEL: 604-684-0211
    EMAIL: info@cofi.org