We are pleased to advise you that the BC Council of Forest Industries [COFI] and the Coast Forest Products Association [CFPA] have decided to come together as one organization to create a stronger, unified voice for the B.C. forest industry.
The forest industry has long been the cornerstone of the B.C. economy and one of the largest employers in the province. Forestry creates one in every 17 jobs, or more than 140,000 total jobs, contributing $12.9 billion in GDP to the province. These jobs also generate a total of $8.6 billion in wages, supporting families in communities on B.C.’s coast, lower mainland, the interior, and the north.
Our members take great pride in British Columbia being a world leader in sustainable forestry. Healthy forests are part of the natural and ecological heritage of our province, and we work hard to honour these values.
By coming together under the BC Council of Forest Industries, the industry will work together across regions to advocate on behalf of the forest sector, its workers and the 140 communities that depend on the forest sector through their mills, operating facilities, silviculture, and logging operations. Our goal is to continue our focus on public policy issues with the provincial and federal governments, as well as to strengthen our relationships with communities, indigenous people, and local governments.
The organizational change will be effective April 1, 2018. Until that time, COFI and CFPA will continue to operate independently, and our members and staff will work collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition.
Warm regards,
Susan Yurkovich Rick Jeffery
President & CEO President & CEO
BC Council of Forest Industries Coast Forest Products Assn.