Supports for forestry workers and rural communities
Our new vision for B.C. forests includes help for those affected by old growth forest deferrals. The Province will provide coordinated and comprehensive supports for workers by looking at how we can improve existing programs and through the development of new programs.
More details are coming soon and this website will provide updated information on the help available.
Existing support program
The Province will continue to provide supports through existing programs, while also exploring how they can be made better for workers and communities to access the help they need to transition to new economic opportunities:
- Forest Employment Program: Creates short-term employment to help forest contractors explore new work.
- Skills Training for Job Pathways: Connects impacted workers and communities with skills training and educational opportunities for new careers.
- Community Rapid Response Team: This team will provide in-community support and will coordinate with ministries and organizations to ensure supports are in place for individuals and communities.
- Rural Business and Community Recovery Initiative: Recovery advisors will be in place to help create jobs, support rural businesses and communities, and support strategic decision making.
- Bridging to Retirement: Forestry workers 55 and older to receive supports to help transition to retirement.
In 2019, government rolled out programs to support forest workers, contractors and communities impacted by mill closures and shift reductions in the B.C. Interior.
Developing new programs
The Province will develop targeted supports that will help lessen the adverse economic impacts associated with old growth deferrals.
Areas of focus include developing:
- Supports for job creation in rural British Columbia through value-add forestry and other manufacturing
- Supports for infrastructure and economic development projects that promote diversification and resilience
- Establishing an internal government office to bridge and leverage cross-ministry connections for strategic collaboration on rural diversification
Our Forests. Our Future.
We're changing how we manage B.C. forests by taking better care of old growth forests, making communities and smaller businesses a priority, and working in partnership with First Nations.
