B.C. Minister Demands Equal Support for Forestry Workers

In a recent statement, Ravi Parmar, British Columbia’s Minister of Forests, criticized the federal government for its uneven support of the forestry sector across Canada. He expressed his frustration after Patty Hajdu, Canada’s federal jobs minister, announced a $12 million contribution to a $29 million package aimed at sustaining a paper mill in northern Ontario. Parmar emphasized that it is “unacceptable” for Ottawa to consistently prioritize support for Ontario and Quebec while neglecting British Columbia’s forestry workers.

During his remarks, Parmar made it clear that he does not intend to create divisions among workers, stating, “I am glad that Ottawa is providing the support for those workers in Ontario.” Nonetheless, he asserted that forestry workers in B.C. deserve “the same treatment” as their counterparts in other provinces. He added, “Their paycheques matter just as much as the paycheques of those folks working in that paper mill.”

Parmar’s comments follow a meeting with David Eby, Premier of British Columbia, and various industry leaders. Together, they urged the federal government to take decisive action to support the forestry sector, particularly in light of tariffs that have reached as high as 45 percent. While the government has pledged $1.2 billion in funding for the Canadian softwood lumber industry, Parmar called for a more expedited distribution of these funds to assist workers in B.C. promptly.

The provincial minister raised concerns about the lack of dialogue surrounding softwood lumber as part of the ongoing trade dispute with the United States. He stressed the importance of addressing these issues to ensure the viability of the forestry sector in British Columbia. “B.C. is ready to help forestry workers,” Parmar stated, highlighting the need for immediate federal support.

As the situation develops, Parmar remains hopeful that the federal government will recognize the critical role of B.C. forestry workers and extend the necessary assistance to ensure their livelihoods are protected. The discussions surrounding equitable treatment for workers in different provinces underscore the importance of a unified approach to support Canada’s essential industries.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on October 18, 2025.