B.C. forest sector braces for another difficult year as raw material shortages persist

British Columbia’s forest sector is entering 2026 under sustained pressure, with industry leaders warning that restricted access to raw materials, weak end markets and trade barriers continue to undermine the province’s once-integrated forestry system. While a federal task force announced earlier this month is intended to support Canada’s forest industry through product diversification and market development, producers in B.C. say the more immediate constraint is the lack of economically accessible raw materials. Without faster and more predictable access to timber, further production losses and mill closures remain likely. Canada’s forestry sector has ...